Podcast Editors Mastermind
Steve Stewart, Mark Deal, Bryan Entzminger, Jennifer Longworth, Carrie Caulfield, Daniel Abendroth
Recent Episodes
Getting paid is one of the most important steps in running a thriving podcast editing business. How you invoice for your work can have a huge impact on your cash flow and profitability.
Eric Rosenberg shares some best practices when invoicing clients, as a freelancer, and the challenges of balancing your client's needs with our self-employed realities.
While listening, pay particular attention to the importance of strategic invoicing for peace of mind, the various payment models available, and how to leverage technology to automate your invoicing process.
Key moments:
- Invoice clients monthly for consistent cash flow
- For new clients or large projects, consider upfront or milestone payments
- Use an invoicing system to automate the process and save time
- Maintain detailed records for accounting and legal purposes
- Negotiate equitable payment terms with clients
- Clearly define project milestones for phased payments in complex projects
Check out Eric's Invoicing App:
About Eric Rosenberg:
Eric is a financial writer, speaker, and consultant whose expertise lies in banking, credit cards, investing, cryptocurrency, insurance, real estate, business finance, and financial fraud and security.
His work has appeared in many online publications, including Time, USA Today, Forbes, Business Insider, Nerdwallet, Investopedia, and U.S. News & World Report.
Connect with him and learn more at EricRosenberg.com
Tools we used:
*Riverside.fm to record
We used Riverside to record this episode. Use code Yetis at *https://creators.riverside.fm/Yetis for 15% off a membership plan.
*WhisperTranscribe for show notes
WhisperTranscribe assisted in the crafting of this episode description. It probably saved me 30 minutes by providing a summary and a list of chapters. Click on the *link above to see how it works for yourself!
*Captivate.fm for podcast media hosting
We use Captivate to host the podcast. Captivate offers amazing features for a low monthly price, including full control of dynamic insertion, embedded chapters, and Blocks/Shortcodes to quickly add content to show notes (either static or dynamically!)
*Use of the above affiliate links may earn us a commission, which is used to support the efforts of this show. Thank you in advance for your support!
Mentioned in this episode:
The Podcast Editor Academy is open now!
Community. Support. Editing Courses. Copy/paste Sales Scripts. These are just a few of the things available inside the Podcasts Editor Academy, which is open right now... ...and you know it's open right now because you're hearing my voice and THIS IS A DYNAMICALLY INSERTED PROMO (which we also teach inside the PEA) Interested in learning more about the back end of podcasting? Or how to help clients to make their shows better? How to serve them better? Join during this limited time.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
What warning signs should podcast editors watch out for when working with clients? Matthew Bliss shares some of his recent “red flags” — those subtle (and not-so-subtle) signals that things might go wrong in a client relationship.
How many of these red flags have you experienced?
- Unclear expectations
- Poor communication
- Unreasonable turnaround times
- Late payments
Listen in on our candid stories, and arm yourself with some practical strategies for handling tricky situations.
Whether you’re a seasoned editor or just starting out, this show will deliver useful wisdom for building stronger, smoother client collaborations...and profit!
Key moments:
- How to identify common red flags with new and existing podcast clients
- Effective mitigation strategies for handling problem situations before they escalate
- The role of contracts, onboarding, and clear communication in protecting your work and wellbeing
Resources mentioned in the show:
Matthew's episode about "Avoiding Toxic Podcast Teams"
About Matthew Bliss:
Matthew is an Australian podcast engineer, producer, and educator who relocated from Australia to Ireland.
He has worked as IT Classroom Support & Digital Technologies Curriculum Support in schools, and as a trainer, digital workplace expert and learning development professional from his time in State Government in Australia.
And Matthew is the founder of MBPod.com, where he offers comprehensive production, consultation, and training services to indie and business podcasters.
Plus, he hosts and co-hosts a few shows himself!
Find Matthew Bliss at:
His website: mbpod.com
Connect with Matthew on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/matthew-bliss
Listen to Matthew's podcast: coffeepodcaster.com
Book a Consultation with Matthew (click here)
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Tools:
*Riverside.fm to record
We used Riverside to record this episode. Use code Yetis at *https://creators.riverside.fm/Yetis for 15% off a membership plan.
*Castmagic.io for show notes
Castmagic assisted in the crafting of this episode description. It probably saved me 30 minutes by providing a summary and a list of chapters. Click on the *link above to see how it works for yourself!
*Captivate.fm for podcast media hosting
We use Captivate to host the podcast. Captivate offers amazing features for a low monthly price, including full control of dynamic insertion, embedded chapters, and Blocks/Shortcodes to quickly add content to show notes (either static or dynamically!)
*Use of the above affiliate links may earn us a commission, which is used to support the efforts of this show. Thank you in advance for your support!
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Coaching Moment:
Help your clients achieve greater completion rates by removing any mentions that "We're almost out of time" or "One last question before we let you go". Those few words become cues to some listeners who will decide it's time to skip to the next show in their playlist or app.
Steve finds that he is successful at removing those kinds of phrases 4 out of 5 times, to where nobody ever knows that the phrase was even said.
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Mentioned in this episode:
The Podcast Editor Academy is open now!
Community. Support. Editing Courses. Copy/paste Sales Scripts. These are just a few of the things available inside the Podcasts Editor Academy, which is open right now... ...and you know it's open right now because you're hearing my voice and THIS IS A DYNAMICALLY INSERTED PROMO (which we also teach inside the PEA) Interested in learning more about the back end of podcasting? Or how to help clients to make their shows better? How to serve them better? Join during this limited time.
Learn how to manage dynamically inserted ads and content
You are reading a DYNAMICALLY inserted promo IN THE SHOW NOTES! Our media host, Captivate, allows us to CHANGE the promo added to the show notes when the audio promo changes in the episode. Yes, the sentences you are reading right now were changed when the post roll ad was changed. In a recent Office Hours call, we shared tips AND PITFALLS to watch out for when moving a client to a new media host - especially if they have ads in their episodes. Plus, more about using Captivate as a media host. Join the Podcast Editor Academy to learn how professional Podcast Editors use Captivate, and more importantly what NOT to do, if you plan to help clients who migrate media hosts with dynamically inserted content. Join now and you also get 1-on-1 coaching with Steve Stewart to figure out where to find your ideal podcast clients!
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Has YouTube won the podcasting game? It sure seems like it.
A recent study by Coleman Insights and Amplifi Media shares the perception of what the public thinks a podcast is, where they are discovering new shows, and some surprising information about Spotify's place in the video podcast landscape.
BONUS:
Steve shares "The Cost and ROI of YouTube videos" at the end. He gives real data behind a successful YouTube video that made $59,000 in ad revenue, and ideas for how you can speak to your potential client who wants to use YouTube to be successful.
Key Discussion Points
- "What is a podcast" seems to be settled by consumers
- Video isn't just a Gen-Z thing
- YouTube still has room to grow
- Podcast listening hits the road
- Spotify is still an audio-first platform
- Social media takes the lead
- YouTube Premium adds complexity to monetization
Links And Resources
- Full report video replay: State of Video Podcasting replay
- Article: Why The Rise Of Video Podcasting Is Not Killing Audio
- Pod Predictor: https://colemaninsights.com/podcasting/pod-predictor
- Article by Sounds Profitable: The Impact Spotify’s Video Has on Publishers
- Emma Sweet replay: YouTube's Algorythm
ABOUT JAY NACHLIS:
Jay joined Coleman Insights in 2017 after more than two decades of experience in the radio industry as a program director and on-air talent at stations covering a wide variety of formats in the United States.
He has launched multiple successful brands, coached some of entertainment’s brightest talents, and authored a memoir of life in radio. Today, Jay leads podcast research initiatives at Coleman, developing custom solutions for clients to grow strong brands and develop great content by deeply understanding the perceptions and desires of their target audiences.
Jay also co-authored “The New Rules Of Podcasting On YouTube,” a landmark 2023 study focused exclusively on video podcasting, and now "The State of Video Podcasting 2025” - as conducted by Coleman Insights and Amplifi Media
Tools:
*Captivate.fm for media hosting
We use Captivate to host the audio episodes. Captivate offers amazing
features for a low monthly price, including full control of dynamic insertion, embedded chapters, and Blocks/Shortcodes to quickly add content to show notes (either static or dynamically!)
*Use of the above affiliate links may earn us a commission, which is used to support the efforts of this show. Thank you in advance for your support!
*StreamYard to record audio and video
Jay and Steve went live using Riverside. Each person's track was recorded separately, and some video shorts were created with the click of a single button.
*Try StreamYard to see if it works as well for your live streams as it did for us.
*Descript to edit the interview for this podcast
For this episode we used the Underlord feature "Edit for Clarity" on the Low setting and was pleasantly surprised! It cut almost 10 minutes of CRAPP - including things Steve wouldn't have edited out if done manually. Not all edits were prefect, but we probably saved an hour of post-production testing it out.
*Test Descript's "Edit for Clarity" feature yourself by using our affiliate link above.
Steve's guidelines for what makes a podcast a podcast:
- Can be audio or video (not only a live broadcast, not a pdf, not only a social reel)
- Available in more than one directory (as an on-demand medium)
- Can play without an internet connection (at least part of the time)
- Continues to play with the screen off (without requiring to pay for that feature)
Share with a friend: https://podcasteditorsmastermind.com/episode/the-state-of-video-podcasts-with-jay-nachlis
Mentioned in this episode:
The Podcast Editor Academy is open now!
Community. Support. Editing Courses. Copy/paste Sales Scripts. These are just a few of the things available inside the Podcasts Editor Academy, which is open right now... ...and you know it's open right now because you're hearing my voice and THIS IS A DYNAMICALLY INSERTED PROMO (which we also teach inside the PEA) Interested in learning more about the back end of podcasting? Or how to help clients to make their shows better? How to serve them better? Join during this limited time.
Learn how to manage dynamically inserted ads and content
You are reading a DYNAMICALLY inserted promo IN THE SHOW NOTES! Our media host, Captivate, allows us to CHANGE the promo added to the show notes when the audio promo changes in the episode. Yes, the sentences you are reading right now were changed when the post roll ad was changed. In a recent Office Hours call, we shared tips AND PITFALLS to watch out for when moving a client to a new media host - especially if they have ads in their episodes. Plus, more about using Captivate as a media host. Join the Podcast Editor Academy to learn how professional Podcast Editors use Captivate, and more importantly what NOT to do, if you plan to help clients who migrate media hosts with dynamically inserted content. Join now and you also get 1-on-1 coaching with Steve Stewart to figure out where to find your ideal podcast clients!
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Do you know how crucial YouTube thumbnails are to the success of a video? Andrew Armstrong reveals strategies to craft video thumbnails that grab attention and make people click Play!
Discover how the first impression provided by thumbnails can make or break your client's video's success, functioning as a gateway to garner viewers’ interest. Andrew shares how to leverage YouTube's built-in A/B testing tool to identify the most effective designs that keep audiences engaged.
The conversation also touches on how YouTube’s algorithm emphasizes search results based on watch time and audience behavior, shifting the focus from views to meaningful engagement.
Listeners will learn:
- The fundamental role of thumbnails in stopping viewers’ scroll and encouraging video clicks
- How A/B testing tools on YouTube can optimize a video’s performance through effective thumbnail design
- The importance of analyzing watch time and audience behavior to refine thumbnail strategies for increased engagement
Key moments:
(00:00) "YouTube Thumbnails: What you need to know"
(03:18) Algorithm Reflects Audience Behavior
(07:28) Optimal Logo Placement Strategy
(10:07) Video Strategy: Success Elements
(14:14) Thumbnail Testing Strategy
(19:11) Assessing YouTube Channel Legitimacy
(22:57) Maximizing YouTube's Evergreen Potential
About Andrew Armstrong:
Andrew is a content creator, consultant, and storyteller passionate about helping individuals and businesses craft social media and digital content strategies.
He leverages his many years as a full-time YouTuber, and as an industry Social Media Strategist, to help content creators and companies better understand the platforms they work on, the best practices that lead to success, and the behaviors of their audiences.
His wife best describes him as "dangerously competent." For consultations, reach out to [email protected]
Tools:
*Captivate.fm for media hosting
We use Captivate to host the audio episodes. Captivate offers amazing features for a low monthly price, including full control of dynamic insertion, embedded chapters, and Blocks/Shortcodes to quickly add content to show notes (either static or dynamically!)
*Use of the above affiliate links may earn us a commission, which is used to support the efforts of this show. Thank you in advance for your support!
*Riverside.fm to record audio and video
We used Riverside to record this episode. Use code Yetis at *https://creators.riverside.fm/Yetis for 15% off a membership plan.
*Castmagic.io for show notes
Castmagic assisted in the crafting of this episode description. It probably saved me 30 minutes by giving me a summary to start with and a list of chapters (which helps with the body of the description). Click on the *link above to see how it works for yourself!
Sponsored by the Podcast Editor Academy
This episode has been brought to you by Podcast Editor Academy. We help individuals like you start and grow a business editing and producing podcasts. Find out more at https://www.PodcastEditorAcademy.com
Sharing link: https://podcasteditorsmastermind.com/episode/youtube-thumbnail-best-practices-with-andrew-armstrong
Mentioned in this episode:
Learn how to manage dynamically inserted ads and content
You are reading a DYNAMICALLY inserted promo IN THE SHOW NOTES! Our media host, Captivate, allows us to CHANGE the promo added to the show notes when the audio promo changes in the episode. Yes, the sentences you are reading right now were changed when the post roll ad was changed. In a recent Office Hours call, we shared tips AND PITFALLS to watch out for when moving a client to a new media host - especially if they have ads in their episodes. Plus, more about using Captivate as a media host. Join the Podcast Editor Academy to learn how professional Podcast Editors use Captivate, and more importantly what NOT to do, if you plan to help clients who migrate media hosts with dynamically inserted content. Join now and you also get 1-on-1 coaching with Steve Stewart to figure out where to find your ideal podcast clients!
The Podcast Editor Academy is open now!
Community. Support. Editing Courses. Copy/paste Sales Scripts. These are just a few of the things available inside the Podcasts Editor Academy, which is open right now... ...and you know it's open right now because you're hearing my voice and THIS IS A DYNAMICALLY INSERTED PROMO (which we also teach inside the PEA) Interested in learning more about the back end of podcasting? Or how to help clients to make their shows better? How to serve them better? Join during this limited time.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Apple recently changed the way they display artwork in their Podcasts app.
This is important to note because there can be some negative consequences if you're not following a consistent process or even unaware, as Steve was, about adding artwork to each upload to your clients' media host.
Mathew Passy shares the benefits of having good Show artwork (for the entire podcast), and if there is any value in having Episodic artwork (for each episode).
Key Takeaways:
- The Benefits of a good thumbnail
- Using the headshots in Show artwork
- What NOT to include in Show artwork
- Are there benefits for using EPISODE artwork?
- Getting into Apple's Featured section
- How Apple displays Episode artwork (or not)
- Uploaded Episode artwork doesn't change if rebranding a show
- What about artwork for other reasons (chapters/sponsors)
- Changing Show artwork periodically to highlight events, themes, etc.
BTW: We will also be releasing an episode soon about VIDEO thumbnails. Be sure you subscribe to our newsletter so you don't miss that one: https://www.PodcastEditorAcademy.com/newsletter
COACHING MOMENT:
The #1 reason RSS feeds stop updating is because the SHOW artwork is too large. When you take on a new editing client, be sure the specs of their SHOW artwork meets the same requirements posed by Apple:
https://podcasters.apple.com/design
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About Mathew Passy:
Mathew has 15+ years of podcasting experience, starting with his first show at a NJ radio station. He spent 8 years as a podcast producer for The Wall Street Journal Radio Network and later founded ThePodcastConsultant.com, a successful podcast production and consulting agency, which he sold after 8 years.
Currently, Mathew runs Custom Podcast Solutions, focusing on comprehensive podcast support.
He also hosts Podcasting Tech and serves as a LibsynPro Customer Care Specialist at Libsyn.
Find him, and the cool NFT/beacons at https://conntap.com
Tools:
*Riverside.fm to record
We used Riverside to record this episode. Use code Yetis at *https://creators.riverside.fm/Yetis for 15% off a membership plan.
*Castmagic.io for show notes
Castmagic assisted in the crafting of this episode description. It probably saved me 30 minutes by giving me a summary to start with and a list of chapters (which helps with the body of the description). Click on the *link above to see how it works for yourself!
*Captivate.fm for media hosting
We use Captivate to host the audio episodes. Captivate offers amazing features for a low monthly price, including full control of dynamic insertion, embedded chapters, and Blocks/Shortcodes to quickly add content to show notes (either static or dynamically!)
*Use of the above affiliate links may earn us a commission, which is used to
support the efforts of this show. Thank you in advance for your support!
Mentioned in this episode:
The Podcast Editor Academy is open now!
Community. Support. Editing Courses. Copy/paste Sales Scripts. These are just a few of the things available inside the Podcasts Editor Academy, which is open right now... ...and you know it's open right now because you're hearing my voice and THIS IS A DYNAMICALLY INSERTED PROMO (which we also teach inside the PEA) Interested in learning more about the back end of podcasting? Or how to help clients to make their shows better? How to serve them better? Join during this limited time.
Learn how to manage dynamically inserted ads and content
You are reading a DYNAMICALLY inserted promo IN THE SHOW NOTES! Our media host, Captivate, allows us to CHANGE the promo added to the show notes when the audio promo changes in the episode. Yes, the sentences you are reading right now were changed when the post roll ad was changed. In a recent Office Hours call, we shared tips AND PITFALLS to watch out for when moving a client to a new media host - especially if they have ads in their episodes. Plus, more about using Captivate as a media host. Join the Podcast Editor Academy to learn how professional Podcast Editors use Captivate, and more importantly what NOT to do, if you plan to help clients who migrate media hosts with dynamically inserted content. Join now and you also get 1-on-1 coaching with Steve Stewart to figure out where to find your ideal podcast clients!
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy