This Week In The Podverse, July 26, 2024
This week, we figure out why President Biden won’t run for president again, as explained in Al Jazeera podcasts. We also celebrate Captivate Audio’s big win for its new podcast measurement certification and check out Headliner's cool new feature that tracks how well your audiograms do online. Joe Cole shares his career regrets on Mikel Obi’s podcast, and new shows like "Room to Grieve" and "I’m Fine" offer support and insights. Plus, find out about Spotify Africa’s free studio spaces, budget-friendly mics, and the latest podcast trends. Stay tuned for all these updates and more!
Innovation
Captivate Achieves IAB Podcast Measurement 2.2 Certification
Captivate Audio has become the first hosting platform globally to receive the IAB Podcast Measurement 2.2 certification, announced by co-founder Mark Asquith. This milestone highlights Captivate's dedication to offering industry-leading analytics and support for podcasters. The platform's features have made it a top choice for many, including niche podcasts like "Research Culture Uncovered" from the University of Leeds, reaching 81 episodes and 8,000 unique downloads since its launch in October 2022.
Headliner Tracks Audiogram Performance with New Feature
Headliner has introduced a new feature allowing users to track the performance of their audiograms shared on social media. By accessing the “Analytics” tab in their Headliner account, podcasters can view detailed performance metrics for their posts. This update is designed to help podcasters better understand their audience engagement and optimize their promotional strategies.
Innovative Content Strategy: Evielyn Chapman’s “Pretend Podcast”
Evielyn Chapman has unveiled a creative method for generating new ideas from existing content, known as the "Pretend Podcast" technique. By having AI simulate a podcast host and interview her about her previous content, Chapman receives insightful questions that inspire fresh perspectives. She then converts these answers into engaging short-form videos or new posts. Pretty neat, right?
New Guide Helps You Create Cool AI Art
Descript has made an easy guide to help you write great prompts for AI image tools like DALL-E. The guide shows fun ways to use AI for making pictures, like unique stock photos, green screen backgrounds, and podcast cover art. It teaches you to write clear and specific prompts and use art words to get better results. The guide also suggests using AI to start your pictures and then fixing them by hand. Plus, it gives tips on using tools like ChatGPT to help you write better prompts by describing and making pictures similar to ones you already have.
Spotify Ads Manager Gets a Makeover
Spotify has rebranded its advertising platform to Spotify Ads Manager, enhancing the user experience with new tools and dynamic ad formats to better engage audiences and track campaign results. Key features include a simplified interface, advanced targeting capabilities with more interest segments and an upcoming Audience Manager, new visual ad options like Canvas and Opt-In Video, and the introduction of Spotify Pixel for performance tracking along with expanded third-party solutions. Additionally, Ads Manager's capabilities are now available in over 50 new markets, making it easier for advertisers to reach Spotify's vast audience of over 626 million users.
Challenges
Biden Withdraws from 2024 Presidential Race: Insights from Al Jazeera Podcasts
Joe Biden, the President of the United States, has decided not to run for president again in 2024. You can listen to Al Jazeera English Podcasts if you want to know why. Their shows #TheTake and #InsideStory explain everything about his decision and who might be the next president.
Joe Cole Expresses Regret Over Liverpool Move on Mikel Obi's Podcast
In a recent episode of "The Obi One Podcast," former Chelsea star Joe Cole opened up about his career regrets, specifically his move to Liverpool. Cole admitted that a severe knee injury, which sidelined him for 11 months, greatly affected his performance and led to his disappointment with the move. Reflecting on his career, Cole revealed he would have preferred to play abroad if given another chance, citing how different conditions might have benefited his recovery.
Mums Launch Podcast to Support Grieving Parents
Karen Kinsella and Rebecca Hadman, both who lost children to brain cancer, have started a podcast called "Room to Grieve." The show, which blends emotional conversations with practical insights, aims to support others dealing with grief and advocate for grief education in schools. Their initiative follows their experiences with Derian House Children's Hospice, where they received support during their children's final days.
Jean Campbell Launches Podcast to Address Chronic Pain
Jean Campbell, model and chronic pain advocate has launched "I’m Fine," a podcast aimed at breaking the silence surrounding chronic pain. The show explores various forms of physical, emotional, and mental pain through personal stories and interviews. Campbell, who has struggled with severe pain since adolescence, seeks to provide a platform for open discussions about pain and its impact. The podcast features diverse voices, from her own experiences to stories of invisible pain, and aims to offer hope and a broader vocabulary for understanding and expressing suffering.
Cody Gough Critiques Overuse of "Authentic" in Podcasting
Cody Gough, Senior Content Strategist at NerdWallet and award-winning podcast producer, recently shared a provocative opinion on LinkedIn. He argued that many podcasters use the term "authentic" as an excuse for poor editing, suggesting that listeners generally have a better experience with well-edited episodes. Gough cited the example of ‘The Blair Witch Project’, which, despite its "found footage" style, involved extensive editing to create a polished final product. He challenged podcasters to rethink their approach to editing and authenticity, stressing that skillful editing can enhance, rather than detract from, a podcast's authenticity.
Opportunities
Pod the North Newsletter Highlights Freelance Podcasting Success Stories and Industry Updates
In the latest issue of Pod the North, the newsletter spotlights five freelance podcast producers from Canada, sharing their journeys and tips for success. Notable features include Ben Stager's new entertainment podcast and Dr. Paulina Johnson's "The Auntie Is In," which highlights Indigenous stories.
Cheap Mic Inspires New Podcasters
Podcast producer Rhys Waters shared a LinkedIn post about a cheap microphone. He said it’s great for kids with big dreams but not much money. Even if it doesn’t sound perfect, it’s a start. People in the podcast world loved the post. They said it’s not about fancy gear but about great stories. Some even shared their own stories of starting with simple setups. This shows that podcasting is for everyone, no matter how much money they have.
Spotify Africa and Eggcorn Digital Offer Free Podcast Studio Space in Nigeria
Spotify Africa, in collaboration with Eggcorn Digital, is now offering free studio space for podcast production in Nigeria. This state-of-the-art studio is open for both audio and video content creators, providing a professional environment to bring your ideas to life. To secure your spot, fill out the form here.
New Study Highlights Black Americans' Podcast Habits
Signal Hill Insights' latest research, released on July 23, 2024, reveals a 10% increase in podcast listening among Black Americans, driven by new listeners. Preferred genres include Sports, Music, and Religion/Spirituality, with notable gender differences: Black men favour Sports and Music, while Black women prefer Religion/Spirituality. Black listeners are motivated by inspiration and self-improvement, showing a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Marketers can tap into this demographic, especially in life insurance, wireless services, luxury boutiques, quick-service restaurants, fast fashion, and home gyms.
Tom Webster Releases New Book on Podcasting
Tom Webster, Partner at Sounds Profitable, announced the release of his new book, The Audience Is Listening. Drawing from 30 years of experience with major audio shows, Webster's book delves into the art and science of creating audience-focused, entertaining podcasts. He aims to inspire podcasters to prioritize their listeners. Copies are available now, with signing opportunities at Podcast Movement.
Joey Akan Celebrates Podcasting Success with Suya
Joey Akan, a famous Nigerian music journalist and podcaster, promised to buy a lot of suya (a tasty Nigerian grilled meat) when he makes his first million from podcasting. On July 24, 2024, he shared his success on Twitter, and many people congratulated him and asked for a piece of his good fortune. Joey is the founder of AfrobeatsIntel and works hard to share African music with the world.
Dominic Lawson Champions Diversity in Black Podcasting
Dominic Lawson, a famous podcaster who has won 23 awards and is the Director of Podcasts at Owls Education Company, recently shared a post on LinkedIn. In his post, Lawson talked about the many different types of podcasts that Black podcasters create. He said that while people often think of Black podcasters making shows about culture, dating, and comedy, they also make great podcasts about history, true crime, and science. Lawson wants listeners to see beyond these stereotypes and enjoy the wide variety of content made by Black creators. His message is about recognizing and appreciating the rich and diverse stories that Black podcasters tell.
Kieran MacRae Helps Podcasters Set Smart Goals
Kieran MacRae, who co-hosts the ‘Generally Spooky History’ podcast, explains why having clear goals is important. MacRae says you should focus on "lead indicators" and use the SMART method—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely—to make your goals. Instead of just aiming for high download numbers, he suggests setting goals like getting on ten other podcasts to help grow your audience. He also includes tips on growing your audience and making money from your podcast.
The Obi One Podcast Scores Exclusive Interview with Carlo Ancelotti
The latest episode of "The Obi One Podcast" features an exclusive interview with Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, who outlines his master plan for integrating Kylian Mbappé into the team. This episode, hosted by Chelsea and Nigeria legend Mikel John Obi and Chris McHardy, looks at Ancelotti's strategies and expectations for the upcoming season.
"The best podcasts are not just heard, but felt."