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Not all free services on the internet break the law in violating your privacy, selling your data and/or profiting from something you created but, when you see “Free”, you should be asking, “How do they make money?”. In this case, by collecting and selling your data and ensuring their right to repurpose, redistribute, and monetize any of your content you created on their platform and/or using their technology; per their terms of agreement. Since the launch of our business in 2005, we have considered many different ways in which we could generate revenue. We are a business after all and need to keep the lights on. Some of those ideas came from within and many from outside influences but each of them was considered on the basis, "Is this what we set out to do when we started this company?". We started this company to make it easy for anyone to create, maintain and grow a podcast. Our simple philosophy: What you make, create, and produce with your podcast is owned by you. We are here to support you and help you share it with the world. That is what you pay us for. We do not farm and sell your data. We do not claim ownership over anything you create on our platform. Our tools are free for you to use without surrendering your ownership of the content you create with them. We think about these values and honor our podcasters and their creative rights every day so we thought, let’s write them down for not only our podcasters but for all podcasters to know what their rights are as creators. Here is our Podcaster Bill of Rights Take a look, tell us what you think and always, let us know if you have any questions. Keep making great podcasts and rest assured we are here to help you, not exploit you. -Podomatic 
On March 15th we launched an initiative to give everyone that wanted to podcast about their experience living with/amongst COVID, unlimited podcasting resources so they could do so. We thought, “Hey, we’re in the communication business and communication has never been more important than it is right now.” so we launched #PODCASTINGCOVID in effort to give anyone and everyone that needed a platform, a way to update the world and their communities during these times. Learn more. So how do you do that? What should you talk about? ANYTHING! Anything helps in times like these. Whether you’re airing out your frustrations or just listening to someone else’s similar experience, you can be a part of this global conversation. Don't overthink it! We find that the best podcasts in general, and even more so with this virus, are the ones that are unscripted and from the heart. Here’s some ideas that we think would make great contributions to #PODCASTINGCOVID! Tell us how you’re dealing with isolation A lot of people are experiencing isolation for the first time and dealing with it in a huge variety of ways. Picked up any new hobbies? Making plans for when this is all over? Watching or listening to anything you want to recommend? Crippled with depression? Whether you’re coping well or not, it’s hugely helpful to share what you’re doing to pass the time and what you’re going through. For you and your listeners. What are the ups and downs of your day, how awesome is it when the kids finally fall asleep? I just cant seem to get away from that one family member! Have you developed some strange pet peeves? Do you sometimes wish you were in isolation alone? Or are you alone now and wish you were isolated with others. How are you keeping you with personal hygiene and grooming? How did that haircut turn out? Tell us how your grocery shopping experience is Yes you can have an entire show just updating folks on the status of your grocery stores! Podcasts are perfect for specifics. Lines/wait time status, best times to go, who’s open and who’s closed, who’s out of what and where, general best practices you’ve seen or use; all of these points are now very important and could greatly help folks in your area. News updates Many people, and even more young people, don’t watch the news all day every day. There are so many things people miss because they are scared of the news or do not trust its characters. Giving updates is a great way to start helping people fast. How has COVID affected your work? All over the world, businesses and cities are shut down, leaving millions unemployed or partially employed. Millions of others are lucky enough to be working from home and millions of others are on the front lines everyday, battling this thing face to face. All situations are unique and everyone can benefit from hearing about how you’re dealing with your situation, how it's changed, and advice for folks that are in similar predicaments. We strongly urge those of you in the medical field who are on the front lines, to share your stories and perspective of this entire experience. We greatly thank you all. Tell us stories or share you talents A good distraction and a good laugh is a great way to help pass time in isolation. Think you are a comedian? Now's your chance! Music or signing? Poetry or writing? Read us some of your work! You don’t have to be a journalist or bearer of bad news to start a podcast now. Telling stories of your life or that you’ve heard is a tradition humans have kept for thousands of years for a reason! It’s how we put ourselves in other people's shoes, learn life lessons, and spread knowledge that we’ve gained. The best part is, they don’t even have to be true! Make up any dazzling tale you’d like; whisk us away to somewhere else for a little while. If a caveman could do it, so can you! We are all now TV and Movie critics Who ISN’T binge watching right now? This is a great opportunity to recommend shows and movies you’ve been loving or brutally bash the ones you can’t stand! When Netflix won’t let you rate it, start a podcast. One of our favorites; group podcasting! Are you locked in with family or roommates? Get them all together, add some adult beverages where appropriate and let it rip! Everyone can speak their mind, air it out! This one can sometimes even be therapeutic but just in case, keep knives and sharp objects out of reach and remember, podcast responsibly! I can guarantee you it will be entertaining. Please email those to us at hello@podomatic.com Combine all of these topics into one show! Podcasts are often niche but there is no wrong way to podcast. Make each of these topics a segment in your episodes. Spreading out information and combining entertainment is the best way to keep people engaged as you get your entire point across. You don’t have to have professional editing knowledge or transitions either. Just start talking about something else! Podcast listeners love some production value but we also love a regular conversation. We hope this has given you some help and inspiration to contribute your voice and story to the world that needs it. No matter what you decide to do with your podcast, know that people WILL find it, they WILL listen, and it WILL help in some way. Please continue to communicate and find ways of supporting one another. We WILL get through this.
 Hello podcasters and welcome back to the Podomatic Feature Series! This week is a very special one for two reasons. One, this our first time debuting a podcast and two, it’s our first feature on a podcast created and hosted by a 10 year old! Introducing At Your Level Podcast, the podcast For kids, By kids! This is one of the best podcasts to come out of our #PODCASTINGCOVID effort (click link for details) and host Ari keeps us well informed throughout episode one. A very well thought out and produced show, Ari not only brings on guests of his peers to weigh in on his topics, there’s an ASMR “Guess That Sound” round for you to try to win and more! I can’t give away any more spoilers though, you simply have to go listen for yourself. Check out At Your Level right here on Podomatic and our interview with Ari below! Start Your Podcast Today! Ari, When, how and why did you start podcasting?
About 3 months ago I started having the idea of a podcast. I sent a ASMR to my friends and they sent me some funny responses. I played it for my mom and she loved it so we started creating and planning the outline. How did you pick a subject/topic? The first episode was originally going to be about dogs. I invited Bode & Lily because they have 2 dogs. And Chloe and Wesley because Daisy (the first dog they had) got put down and they adopted a new dog Bubbah that month. I was going to ask about losing a dog and how that felt. But then the schools closed and Bubbah tried to bite Wesley a few times and got very aggressive to Wes. There parents asked my mom if I can talk about a different subject. I also had planed to have my guests come to my house. My mom bought me equipment and I was going to have everyone sit together under one mic. I had to change that. So with all the changes it made sense to talk about the corona virus. But every episode will have a different subject if that’s what you mean. What do you want to be when you grow up and why? I want to be a vet because I always wanted to and I love animals (especially dogs). What's your advice for folks that haven’t pressed record yet? If you mean that they are going to record their own podcast, then try to keep your voice steady and even if nobody listens to it, remember you worked really hard and love doing it. If you mean they are going to press play to my podcast then think of all the ways you can participate.  Ouch, You’re on my Hair Podcast Alright metal-heads, zip-up your leather, fluff your mullets and crank it up to 11! This week we talk to Ouch, You’re on my Hair Podcast. Lifelong friends and headbangers Randy and Troy started this podcast a few years ago to have a place to discuss the music they love. As you all know, metal can come in many different shapes and sizes; from the heaviest shredding possible to the most tranquil soundscapes of a mythical forest, Ouch, You’re on my Hair has it all. With music, guests, games, battles, debates, and more, you're eardrums are sure to be as sore as your neck. Be sure to stay till the end to discover some premium riffs you’ve never heard before too. But don’t take my word for it, we talked to Randy about the podcast below. When, how and why did you start podcasting? Back in 2016, two best friends for over 35 years, Troy Nelson and Randy Helms decided they wanted to start a podcast about the music they love. They decided, lets do a podcast, which centers on 80s Metal, Album Orientated Rock (AOR), Glam, and anything else mullet related. The podcast does pay homage to those classic rock bands who started it all, as well as look at today’s new sounds of Rock-n-Roll. In April, 2017 Ouch, You’re on my Hair began, with the first podcast episode. Before long, Troy and Randy wondered if there were still upcoming bands, which still played the sort of Heavy Metal and Rock-n-Roll they grew up on. So they decided, let’s introduce our listeners to a new and upcoming unfamiliar band each week. The boys started showcasing two songs by the band, one at the first segment and then one which closes the show each week. Before they knew it, record companies and public relations groups started sending them tons of much each week. It was more than they could play on just one podcast episode a week, so they started the Radio Show. The Radio Show plays 12 songs by 12 different bands each week. Why is it important for some speed metal and thrash bands to stay in character off stage as well as on? Back in the old carnival days and still used today in the professional wrestling word, there is term known as ‘kayfabe’. The word basically means not allowing the audience in on the art of the act. For many speed metal and thrash bands, their fans love the presentation the band portrays on stage, as much as they love the music. For those bands, it works for them to remain in character off stage, so their fans see them in public as they see them on stage and neither the band nor the fans lose their love for each other. Describe some of the struggles you had when first building your audience and how you were able to keep them once they found you. Trying to promote the show and finding an audience has been difficult. Although the use of social media sites has helped, the problem becomes people only listen to one show, say one, which an interview was conducted by one of their favorite musicians. Every week on both shows, the boys tell their audience to go subscribe to them on places like Podomatic, but each week the numbers of subscribers stays low. Advice for people that haven’t pressed record yet? Don’t put it off another day. Ouch, You’re on my Hair began in 2017, but one year before both Troy and Randy talked about starting it, but waited. Looking back, that was a year wasted, which could have been used to record shows. Also, do it because you love it, not because you want to be popular. If you love it, you will never get tired of doing it.  This week on The Podomatic Feature Series we focus on music fans and what we all can do to help businesses through these historically unique times. Since 2013, the Chicago based NightClub UNDERGROUND has been podcasting DJ sets and mixes made by the talent that performs at the venue. UNDERGROUND’s podcast serves not only to promote the club and it’s amazing lineup; it also documents and preserves its history. Leaving you with hours of pumping mixes to get you through isolation. Like any business that relies on the general public’s attendance, UNDERGROUND is finding new ways to raise enough money to support their staff and reopen someday soon. Please visit their website to find out how you may be able to support UNDERGROUND during this time. When, how and why did you start podcasting? We felt early on that the Podcast channel and method of communicating was going to grow rapidly but more importantly we believed in our brand and our partners from a musical standpoint. We believed and still believe we have a standout musical product and we want to share!! Describe some of the struggles you've had with the COVID shut down, your current fundraising efforts, and how people can get involved. Well I think that for everyone trying to raise cash at the moment it's tough. This hasn’t only affected us in hospitality but its affected the whole globe in all industries. We have some great purchasable options for people on our site if they want to help. We felt it was important to offer some great deals and options rather than just asking for donations. Advice for people that haven’t pressed record yet? Podcasts will continue to grow in terms of communication channels. If you have something you are passionate about or believe others will be then you should get involved!!  Few topics ignite the imagination more than the unsolved and the unexplained. From the 1940s to today, there are thousands of missing persons cases in the U.S. that still remain unsolved. Since 2016, the Unfound Podcast has been investigating those cases and providing all of the information and evidence available, to get new leads on the mysteries. A True Crime show like no other, Unfound interviews the friends and family of the disappeared; walking you through each real case, step by step, revealing the events that led up to the disappearance and the characters involved. Scroll through the episode list. See a name you recognize? You may have the missing detail that breaks the case wide open! When, how and why did you start podcasting?
When? First episode came out Sept. 2016 – disappearance of Suzanne Lyall. How? I had been actually doing podcasting for several years in a totally different genre but had always followed true crime tv. Then in April 2016 I started my first true crime podcast with a co-host. After about 4 months, we decided to go separate ways. Then, I started Unfound on my own a few months later. Why? My motivation to start Unfound was I wanted to do a program that I would listen to. I wanted to do one in which I wasn’t just collecting info from Wikipedia and Websleuths and The Charley Project, etc. and reading the data off. I wanted to go to the people who have experienced these disappearances personally. I wanted to interview families and friends so these disappearances would feel a lot more personal to the listeners. Along the way, I think the way we do things at Unfound also reveals more relevant information than can be found anywhere else out there on the Internet. How did you pick a subject/topic? Well, technically, we don’t “pick” disappearances to feature. Instead, the guests choose to come on the program. We don’t cover a missing persons case unless someone can be interviewed. Yes, we send out emails and messages to family members when we can find them. But, they are the ones who choose to be on the program. But often times, they approach us first. Describe some of the struggles you had when first building your audience and how you were able to keep them once they found you. Struggles???? Hahahaha. Many. And the answer here will link in with the next question. But the first reviews of Unfound were HORRIBLE. 1 star. 1 star. 1 star. 2 stars. 1 star. On iTunes. I’m serious. Those kinds of reactions can cause a host to really do some soul searching. What I decided, and I think I’ve been proven right since then, is that those reviews were due to Unfound being different and NOT because I didn’t know what I was doing. How so? At the time in 2016, the true-crime public was used to the Serial podcast format which many other following podcasts copied. The hosts speaking in “NPR soft monotones” while obviously using scripts. Music being mixed in to add drama throughout the entire episode. All the episodes being less than an hour long. Cliffhangers before the ads so people will hang around for the next 15 minutes or next week’s episode. Then, Unfound comes along. I speak in my normal every day voice with my every day personality. Scripting is only about 10% of an entire episode—the rest is free form conversation between myself and the guest. Music only being at the beginning and end of the episode. Episodes sometimes going 3 hours long. NO cliffhangers and NO ads—that’s still true 3 and a half years later. What I’m saying is I did everything the opposite of what other hosts were doing at the time in 2016. And experienced true crime listeners who listened to Serial, etc. found Unfound revolting. Now, in 2020? Myself and my assistants now notice other podcasts copying Unfound. LONGER episodes. NO cliffhangers. More news and information, and less drama. How do we at Unfound keep an audience, some of whom rejected the program 3 years ago? By working harder than everyone else. Besides the episodes every Friday, I host a live show on YouTube on Wednesday nights. I host a private Think Tank on YouTube every Sunday evenings. I write 3000 words blogs on Patreon for every single disappearance we feature. I keep in contact with most of the guests who have been on the program—over 170 of them now. I have two assistants who monitor the Facebook Discussion Group (almost 7000 members) 24/7 to make sure the conversations there are PG-rated and on topic. Trolls are immediately banned. I have an assistant who does nothing but coordinates with future guests—she has been with me the longest. I have an assistant who is the moderator for the shows on YouTube—she also calls additional people if more coverage of a disappearance is needed. This assistant is also kind of an overseer of everything Unfound does to make sure we are headed in the right direction. I have an assistant who does nothing but YouTube and the new website—for example, Unfound is the only true crime podcast that converts its audio show into a video show within 24 hours of the episode airing on Podomatic. I have an assistant who works on nothing but special projects like sending out information requests if I feel something needs more investigation after a guest has been on the program. It takes ALL that in my opinion to show the audience that we take their listenership seriously, and that we want them to know we are working hard to continue to earn their trust. Advice for people that haven’t pressed record yet? #1. You MUST make a good program. What is a good program? One that is indicative of your values, ethics, and morals. A program that is a representation of who you are as a person. This will be important for your mental health. Don’t craft a program because it’s trendy or the latest fad. Design one based on what YOU think YOU should be doing. That will get you through the rough times because podcasting can be a grind. #2. Your good program must be . . . good. If you think you can just slide up to the microphone with no prep and wow people, you’re wrong. My best advice would be study how comedians put their routines together. They are meticulous. They agonize over every word. You should be doing that too. As far as equipment, I use a 15 year old microphone connected to a 2 yr old MacBook—I was using a Mac Mini before that. I use Garageband to record my side of the program and to edit the interviews. Some other hosts are more sophisticated. Some are less. It all depends on how technologically advanced you are. #3. You must be honest with yourself if you stink. But YOU have to be self-aware enough to know that you stink. Because trust me, you won’t believe anyone else that tells you that because your pride will get in the way. #4. Bizarrely enough, and almost in counter to #3, DO NOT read your reviews on iTunes or anywhere else. They don’t matter. Trust me, you’re going to reject the ones that say you’re terrible and you’re going to completely believe the ones that give you 5 stars. Both kinds of reviews are probably wrong. This goes back to #3 in that YOU have to know if you’re good or not—do not rely on reviews to tell you that. If you are good, the audience will find you. If you are not, they won’t. Reviews don’t matter. #5. Find good people to help. Now, this is the most direct way you can tell if your podcast is good. How? By how much other people want to be involved with it. If no one ever comes to you and asks to help out in some way, THAT should tell you something. For example, every assistant I have came to me—I didn’t have to seek them out. They heard Unfound and desired to be a part of it because they believe in the cause that the podcast represents. I didn’t have to convince them of that—they convinced themselves of that. Unfound is what it is because of all the help I receive and the work my assistants do. And once you have people helping you, trust them. Give them important things to do. Do not helicopter parent them. Always mention them to your audience. #6. Don’t start seeking ads and Patreon members as soon as your first episode comes out. Why? It makes it look like you feel entitled to be given money just because you recorded some words into an mp3 file. And that’s pathetic. EARN your audience. Get to the point where THEY ask you to start a Patreon account so THEY can contribute—another way you’ll know your program is good. Me? I didn’t start a Patreon account until Unfound was 14 months old and it was because listeners requested it. And I STILL don’t have any ads in my podcast. #7. Find ways to branch out past podcasting in whatever genre you select. Just like actors are known as triple threats—sing, dance, act. You do the same. Find groups to speak to. Write blogs. Host a live show on YouTube or Facebook. Don’t just do . . . the podcast. All covid-19 related podcasts started after March 15th will now be completely free on Podomatic until we all get through this In this strange new world we now find ourselves living in, uncertainty seems to be the theme of every day. What will be shut down today? Will I have my job tomorrow? Will there be food at my grocery store? How long is this going to last? It’s scary not knowing what’s going to happen or if there will be help for us if we need it. All over the world, we are feeling the effects of not only a pandemic, but the isolation it has caused. Going stir-crazy, watching the news all day, not hearing real stories from real people or being able to share your own experiences can become maddening extremely quickly. Podcasting is a tool fortunate enough to not only be able to give you a voice and platform but reach; the ability to communicate to hundreds of millions of people. In times of global emergency, it’s so important to stay in communication. Giving updates, observations, and information of any kind really be helpful in supporting each other and can even save lives. That’s why we are offering FREE Pro Accounts to everyone that’s willing to create a new podcast to share their stories about how life has changed for them over the past month due to COVID. We want to hear your story and so do millions of other people around the world who are coping with this virus and our new way of life. What people need to know:
NOTE: Existing Podomatic users are encouraged to go through the same steps and create a NEW account to take advantage of the Free Pro Account for COVID Updates offer. Through our system, you can submit to our partners like Spotify, Deezer, Apple Podcasts, and more for free to maximize your update reach. As we are all practicing “social distancing”, maybe these podcasts can help us feel not so alone.
If there’s ANYTHING Podomatic can do to help you or your show during this time please let us know. Let’s get through this together. Stay safe and be well, Podomatic Welcome Back to The Podomatic Feature Series! Leading us into Spring this year is Rainbow Country, our #1 Ranked LGBTQ Podcast. Mark Tara, creator, and host of Rainbow Country aims to shine their spotlight on the incredible and often overlooked work of creatives in the LGBTQ Community. Guest interviews with professionals in film, TV, and music, always lead to Hot Topic discussions on arts, culture, health, and business. Rainbow Country has everything one needs to learn something new. Check out our interview below!  Start Your Podcast HERE When, how and why did you start podcasting? "I have to say I didn't START podcasting. Podcasting said "GURL you better catch up!" Allow me to explain. In June 2016 I started my Gay radio show Rainbow Country on CIUT895FM in Toronto & it wasn't until a year into my show I realized I was selling myself short by not offering the show up as a podcast, so, I did my research & realized that Podomatic offered, among other things, a Gay and Lesbian chart. It was that moment podcasting said to me "GURL you better catch up". So I joined Podomatic & I'm happy to say as a result, Rainbow Country is usually in the top 10 of Podomatic's Gay & Lesbian chart & the show has gotten as high as #1! Something I'm very proud of." How did you pick a subject/topic? "Picking a TOPIC or SUBJECT usually happens organically. Something that catches my attention. I'll reach out to potential guests & usually it works out. I'm fortunate to say I've had on leaders & regular members of Canada's LGBT Community plus I'm happy to say I've had on Oscar winners, Grammy winners, best selling authors, film & music festivals as well. I'm always looking for ways to expand the show." Advice for people that haven’t pressed record yet? "What I've learned is that what works for one, may not work for another. That being said, I think if people are looking to get into podcasting they should take their time to find their voice. What makes you unique to other podcasts that are out there? Be professional. Professionalism will take you places & just as importantly pick the best platform to host your show that will get your show out to as many ears as possible. In my professional opinion, Podomatic stands head & shoulders above the rest." |
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