Anita Chinwendu Opara is leading efforts to unite female podcasters and authors in Africa. NaijaPodHub is organizing a panel on podcasting etiquette, focusing on effective guest hosting. Rita Chindah's IPSERIES offers digital tips for musicians by Oyinda Olukanni. Adelle Onyango discusses the impact of new media on African storytelling. Podcasting is growing in South Africa, providing advertising opportunities. African podcasts prioritize authenticity, with brands like Mediclinic Southern Africa and UNICEF leading. James Cridland suggests ending auto-downloads in podcast apps. Bill Maher launches Club Random Studios, promoting free expression. Research shows corporate executives as avid podcast listeners. Former TV stars embrace podcasts. FC Barcelona introduces two video podcasts. Sky News investigates false assault claims in 'Unreliable Witness.' Podcast Bestie highlights the importance of companion newsletters. Synthetic voice technology promises inclusivity. Issues with promoting podcasts on platform "X" are addressed. Valerie Geller offers advice for engaging podcast content. Tips and tools for podcasters include crafting listener avatars and using new tools like PodpageAI and OpenVino AI Effects.
Anita Chinwendu Opara is rallying for collaboration to uplift female podcasters and authors in Africa. Despite a lukewarm response initially, she's eager to build connections within the creative community. Notable podcasters like Anne Chisa have already shown their support. Read More here
NaijaPodHub has announced an upcoming panel discussion focused on podcasting etiquette. Titled "The ABCs of having a guest on your podcast," the event aims to provide valuable insights into hosting guests effectively. I’ll be on it… Set Your Reminder
YNaija highlights the top five podcasts popular among Nigerian listeners this week. These podcasts cover a range of topics, including men's health, addiction, business dynamics among friends, trending internet stories, and humorous discussions on religious conspiracies. Read More here
Rita Chindah hosts episode 128 of the IPSERIES podcast. In this episode, Mr. Oyinda Olukanni shares practical tips for musicians navigating the digital world. From branding to social media marketing. Listen here
Kenyan media entrepreneur Adelle Onyango recently discussed the impact of new media on African storytelling in an interview with OkayAfrica. Onyango, founder of the Legally Clueless Africa podcast, highlighted the freedom it offers compared to traditional media, amidst challenges such as government censorship in Kenya. Read More here
Recent data reveals a surge in podcast listeners across South Africa. With smartphones and internet access widespread, podcasts have become popular for entertainment and news. This trend presents a prime opportunity for brands to advertise. Read More here
African podcasts prioritize authenticity and local connection, with brands like Mediclinic Southern Africa and UNICEF leading the way. Afripods and 2Stories offer platforms for brands to enhance messaging. Increasing podcast consumption across Africa fosters stronger brand-consumer bonds. Read More here
James Cridland makes a compelling case for a major change in podcast app defaults. He argues that the era of auto-downloads should come to an end and points out that with today's abundance of mobile data, auto-downloads are an unnecessary drain on resources and hinder effective advertising. Read More here
Renowned HBO host Bill Maher is stepping into the podcast arena with the launch of Club Random Studios. The network, named after Maher's existing podcast, aims to promote free expression. Its first show will be hosted by former ESPN anchor Sage Steele, who left the network amid controversy. Read More here
New research by Signal Hill Insights unveils podcast trends among corporate executives. The study shows executives aged 30-49 as avid listeners, with 83% tuning in weekly. They prefer news, business, education, and tech podcasts for insights and self-improvement. Read More here
Former stars of Nickelodeon and Disney Channel shows from the 2000s are embracing podcasts as a new way to connect with fans. Devon Werkheiser, known for "Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide," hosts a podcast with former co-stars Lindsey Shaw and Daniel Curtis Lee, discussing their experiences on the show. Read More here
FC Barcelona's official website announces the launch of two new video podcasts. President Joan Laporta's Videopodcast will analyze Barça-related topics, while Barra Lliure (Free Bar) will explore the club's sporting legacy. These podcasts will be on Spotify and later on Barça One.
Sky News presents 'Unreliable Witness,' a new podcast investigating the case of Eleanor (Ellie) Williams, who falsely claimed sexual assault and grooming, resulting in an eight-and-a-half-year sentence. The podcast explores why Williams made these false claims and their impact through interviews and analysis. Read More here
In a recent Podcast Bestie update, Arielle Nissenblatt of EarBuds Podcast Collective discussed why companion newsletters matter for podcasts. She stressed the importance of offering more than just episode summaries to keep readers engaged. The interview also covered basic production strategies, like choosing hosting platforms. Read More here
Podcasting enters a new era with synthetic voice technology, eliminating the need for traditional equipment. This innovation promises inclusivity and innovation, bridging the gap between human speech and machine-generated audio. Read More here
It appears that podcasters on platform "X" are facing difficulties promoting their episodes. Kieran MacRae advises fellow podcasters to avoid including direct links in their posts. Meanwhile, Richard (@rlewisphilly) has asked Elon Musk whether "X" intentionally lowers the visibility of posts with external links, especially audio podcasts.
James Cridland questions the BBC's decision to introduce ads to UK podcasts, citing concerns about audience valuation, the impact on BBC Sounds, and the wider implications for the podcasting industry. Read More here
Valerie Geller, a respected radio consultant, advises creating engaging podcasts for radio stations. In her upcoming book, "Beyond Powerful Radio – An Audio Communicator’s Guide to the Digital World," Geller emphasises the need for quality content that fits the station's brand. She suggests ways to develop talent and network effectively, making podcasting a valuable tool for engaging audiences. Geller's tips provide useful guidance for radio professionals adapting to the digital era. Read More here
Tips…
I recently published a guide titled "Crafting Your Ideal Podcast Listener Avatar: A Step-by-Step Guide Using Survey Method" representing APVA. It's aimed at helping podcast creators understand their audience through surveys to tailor content and marketing strategies effectively. You can find the full guide here.
Podcast Discovery Agency shares tips for podcasters post-launch. They recommend using social media, newsletters, and paid promotions for sustained growth. Cross-promotion with other shows and leveraging PR opportunities are also advised. Read More here
Verity Sangan, host of "The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Podcasting," stresses the importance of experimenting with podcasting. With Adam from Podcasting Business School, they discuss how trying new things can lead to big growth and success. Listen here
Tools…
Podpage has a new tool called PodpageAI. This feature utilizes artificial intelligence to simplify content creation tasks for podcasters. PodpageAI offers several functionalities, including AI Blog Posts, which assist in generating blog content related to podcast episodes. It also includes an AI Newsletter Writer that compiles monthly newsletters based on previous content. Another feature is the AI Review Summary, which condenses all reviews into a brief paragraph, aiding in SEO and providing a snapshot of listener sentiment. Read More here
I installed the OpenVino AI Effects tool for a few reasons. First, it's free and only needs the latest Audacity version for 64-bit Windows. With it, I can easily remove noise from my audio files without extra steps [might take a little longer though…]. Plus, I can do cool things like recreate songs from music stems, extract vocals, and separate different parts of music. Also, I can transcribe my audio offline, and the results are pretty accurate. And it has a translation feature too! You can download it here, but it's only for Windows right now. Give it a try if you want to make your audio editing easier and more fun! And watch Mike Russell explain its features here.
Podverb Of The Week
“Just as a captivating story unfolds over time, so too does understanding. Embrace the journey, for each episode holds a piece of enlightenment.”