In our season finale, we discuss the benefits of incorporating a call-to-action (CTA) into your podcast episodes. A CTA is a request to your listeners, asking them to visit your website, rate and review your show, subscribe, email you, etc. We'll explore ways to manage these requests in a way that won't overwhelm your listeners or cause them to tune out or bail on your show altogether.

We'll dive into the different types of actions you can call out and offer suggestions for incorporating them into your episodes. We'll also address the challenges surrounding reviews and ratings, not just for podcast hosts, but for listeners as well. To help solve these issues, we'll suggest a few tools that you may find useful.

Mentioned in this episode:
Robert Chaldini Influence, The Psychology of Persuasion
podpage.com

TIMELINE:

0:00 - Introduction to the show and the first CTA (leave a review, subscribe, give a rating, go to the website, give email and download a free gift)
0:59 - Discussion on the plural form of "Call to Action"
1:51 - Definition of a CTA
3:00 - the effectiveness of CTAs
4:03 - the importance of subscribing to the podcast
5:27 - Discussion on "Subscribe, rate and review" 
7:05 - Sending people to your website and having a specific goal in mind
8:11 - Discussion on the value of ratings and reviews for social proof
10:15 - Difficulty in finding & leaving reviews on some podcast apps
14:41 - The "right" time to do the call to action
17:02 - Teasing your last question before doing call to action
18:18 - Strategic application and structure of the CTA
18:52 - Final thoughts

To learn more about Larry Roberts & Marc Ronick, visit our websites:
podcastphd.pro
readilyrandom.com
ironickmedia.com
Join our Clubhouse community

Everyone has to start somewhere. How do you decide when your podcast is ready to be launched to the world? In this episode, we’ll explain why we delayed our original launch date and some of the ways that we help podcasters prepare for a strong debut.

We’ll discuss ideas to help promote your show ahead of the launch date, how many episodes you want to have built up in your bank, how to know if it’s okay to “start messy” and when you might need to hold your horses and wait until you’ve got all your ducks in a row. 

No matter what animals might be holding you back, we’ll reveal some of the best practices that'll help you be strategic with your launch.

To learn more about Larry Roberts & Marc Ronick, visit our websites:
podcastphd.pro
readilyrandom.com
ironickmedia.com
Join our Clubhouse community

On today's episode, we're diving into a topic that is near and dear to our hearts – growing an entertainment-style podcast. Whether you're a host of comedy, true crime, or any other form of entertainment podcast, we're here to help you take your podcast to the next level. From the beginning, we both started our podcasting careers with entertainment-focused shows and we know what it's like to struggle to grow and find success. But we also learned a lot along the way and we're here to share those lessons with you. So sit back, relax, and let's talk about how to grow your show!

To learn more about Larry Roberts & Marc Ronick, visit our websites:
podcastphd.pro
readilyrandom.com
ironickmedia.com
Join our Clubhouse community

As podcasting has evolved, so too have the tools to make it easier for podcasters to produce high quality content that sounds as good as any professional show out there, even if you’re just recording in your closet. In this episode, we’ll start with the bare bones tools you’ll need to get started and tell you why it is that just because a tool is expensive or free, that doesn’t determine the value that it can bring to your podcast.

We’ll start with the tried and true microphones, and help steer you away from the novelty products that often come with issues. We’ll tell you about Digital Audio Workspace (DAW) programs that we use and the several other possibilities that could work for you. And Headphones might not be as important as you think they are, but we’ll explain why you need to find a pair of cans that work just how you like to hear yourself.

This is all to consider when you're beginning your podcasting journey and how much of an investment in the equipment you’ll want to start with right out of the gate. We also discuss ideas for advanced podcasters who might be looking to upgrade their equipment. And we tackle some of the situations where you might have several people participating in your show and some of the ways to set that up. 

0:30 Importance of using quality audio equipment
4:15 Recommendations for microphones 
10:40 Prevent feedback and improve sound quality
14:15 Transcription software for more than just show notes
19:00 Recommendations for advanced podcasting equipment
30:00 Final thoughts

To learn more about Larry Roberts & Marc Ronick, visit our websites:
podcastphd.pro
readilyrandom.com
ironickmedia.com
Join our Clubhouse community

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of AI, specifically OpenAI's, ChatGPT.   We share our personal experiences with it so far and how obsessed we've become with it!  We'll also some diffeeent ways it can be used for podcasting, from transcriptions to show notes to a whole lot more!  Plus, we'll dive into the potential implications of this technology as well as how it can be used to save time and increase creativity. 

Timeline Summary:

• (0:00) Introduction to ChatGPT and its potential uses in podcasting 
• (1:19) Personal experiences with chat GPT and the impact it has had 
• (2:06) Using ChatGPT for show notes and transcripts 
• (12:32) Potential uses of ChatGPT in other industries such as government and robotics
• (25:08) Repurposing content using ChatGPT
• (27:28) Conclusion and encouragement for listeners to play around with the technology

To learn more about Larry Roberts & Marc Ronick, visit our websites:
podcastphd.pro
readilyrandom.com
ironickmedia.com
Join our Clubhouse community

We share our personal experiences attending our first podcast conventions and we’ll discuss the benefits of these events for podcasters. We discuss how attending conventions can help podcasters network, learn from industry experts, and make valuable business and personal connections. We’ll delve into why pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is critical, as these are often the times when doors open and new opportunities arise.

0:57 Introduction to the topic of podcast conventions
1:28 Larry shares his initial reluctance to attend a conference
4:34 Marc shares his own experience with attending a podcast convention
5:56 We discuss the benefits of networking and building relationships in the podcasting industry
7:30 The importance of seeking out opportunities
10:20 Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone
18:19 Local meetup groups and other events
19:30 Final thoughts

Podfest Expo, January 26-29: https://podfestexpo.com/
Podcast Movement Evolutions, March 7-10: https://evolutions.podcastmovement.com/ 

To learn more about Larry Roberts & Marc Ronick, visit our websites:
podcastphd.pro
readilyrandom.com
ironickmedia.com
Join our Clubhouse community

We delve into the struggles of podcast discoverability and offer strategies for increasing the visibility of your show. We weigh the pros and cons of publishing on multiple platforms and the importance of identifying a unique listening proposition and target audience. We also share tips for increasing discoverability through advertising and guesting on other podcasts, as well as the value of having a strong podcast title and show description. Finally, we discuss the role of SEO in optimizing your show notes and encourage listeners to leave a review and subscribe to the show. Whether you're a seasoned podcaster or just starting out, this episode is filled with valuable insights and actionable advice for improving the discoverability of your podcast.

0:00 - Introduction to Podcast, Ph.D. and discussion of discoverability in podcasting
2:24 - Pros and cons of publishing a podcast on multiple platforms 
5:30 - The importance of identifying a unique listening proposition and target audience 
7:50 - Strategies for increasing discoverability, including investing in advertising and guesting on other podcasts 
10:50 - The importance of having a strong podcast title and show description 
13:50 - Tips for optimizing your show notes for SEO

To learn more about Larry Roberts & Marc Ronick, visit our websites:
podcastphd.pro
readilyrandom.com
ironickmedia.com
Join our Clubhouse community

Starting a podcast is just the beginning. There are countless challenges and obstacles that can arise along the way, from technical issues to lack of listeners to simply feeling burnt out. It's easy to get discouraged and want to throw in the towel, but one of the big keys to success in podcasting is persistence. 

We've both experienced our fair share of setbacks and challenges in our own podcasting journeys. We've had to deal with everything from equipment malfunctions to scheduling conflicts to dealing with negative feedback from listeners. But despite these challenges, we've always remained committed and continued to push through.

In this episode, we'll share our own experiences with persistence and offering advice on how to stay motivated and keep going, even when the going gets tough. We'll discuss the importance of setting goals, finding a support system, and keeping a positive attitude. We'll also explore some of the common pitfalls podcasters make and how you can avoid them.

Whether you're just starting out in the world of podcasting or you've been at it for a while, this episode is sure to offer valuable insights and inspiration.  (and you may find yourself being entertained, too!) 

Tune in to learn more about the importance of persistence in podcasting and how to stay motivated and on track.

00:00 The evolution of podcasting and our podcast
08:52  The importance of authenticity and finding one's voice 
10:27 Finding and connecting with your target audience
12:31 A clear and defined audience is crucial for effective marketing and promotion
14:37 Networking and collaboration
16:08-17:29 - Consistency and building a routine 
17:29-18:52 - Experimenting with different formats and approaches

To learn more about Larry Roberts & Marc Ronick, visit our websites:
podcastphd.pro
readilyrandom.com
ironickmedia.com
Join our Clubhouse community