The Podcast Report

The Podcast Report: Why Downloads Are a Dying Metric (And What to Track Instead) In this solo "walk-and-talk" episode from, Paul Colligan reflects on his recent induction into the Podcasting Hall of Fame and tackles the industry's obsession with the most misleading metric in the business: The Download. While downloads are the easiest number to track, they are also the easiest to cheat, manipulate, and misunderstand. Paul breaks down why you should stop chasing big numbers and start focusing on the four questions that actually determine podcast success. Key Takeaways from This Episode The Problem with Downloads: Downloads shift the value of a podcast from the content itself to the consumer's action. They don't tell you if a listener was entertained, if they took action, or if they even listened past the first five minutes. The "Cheating" Economy: From bot-generated downloads to "download arbitrage" by unscrupulous consultants, Paul explains how easy it is to buy a fake audience on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork. Metric Realities: Even "standardized" metrics like IAB downloads can be misleading due to technical issues like multiple IP addresses for a single listener. The 4-Question Framework for Success: Paul shares the Podcast Partnership's internal process for measuring what actually matters: What do you want the show to do? (e.g., sell a book, generate leads, change global awareness). How do you know it's doing it? (Tracking coupon codes, sales data, or consumption depth). Is the show actually doing it? How do you make it do it better? Resources & Links Mentioned The Podcast Partnership: podcastpartnership.com Podcast Hall of Fame: Paul's recent induction and reflections on the industry. Metrics Standards: The IAB (Internet Advertising Bureau) standard for podcast measurement. Call to Action Stop measuring your success by how many people clicked "download" and start measuring by how many people did what you wanted them to do. What is the primary goal of your show this week? Would you like me to draft a LinkedIn post or a short "Shorts" script based on these show notes to help you promote the episode?

Discover how understanding the purpose, byproducts, and long-term goals of publishing, pairing, and promoting your podcast can unlock new levels of success. Paul Colligan breaks down this strategic framework, revealing how these three essential activities contribute to building an audience, creating a substantial body of work, and establishing a strong presence in the podcasting world. Key Takeaways: • Purposeful Publishing – Learn why meeting the specific needs of your audience through consistent content is crucial for building social proof and a dedicated following. • Strategic Show Notes and Titles – Understand how pairing your episodes with SEO-friendly titles and detailed show notes enhances discoverability and provides valuable support to your listeners. • Effective Promotion – Discover strategies for rising above the noise by promoting your podcast, giving you a reason to be social and amplifying your reach across platforms. • Leveraging Byproducts – Explore how the byproducts of your efforts, such as creating a comprehensive body of work and fostering audience engagement, contribute to long-term podcast growth. • Achieving Long-Term Goals – Uncover the importance of defining purposes, recognizing byproducts, and setting goals to build your audience, establish pathways, and maximize your podcast's impact. Call to Action: Ready to see extraordinary results with your podcast? Focus on the purpose, byproducts, and long-term goals when you publish, pair, and promote your show. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow The Podcast Report for more expert insights into podcasting success. Thanks for listening! For more info, check out podcastpartnership.com Thanks for listening! For more info, check out https://podcastpartnership.com/

How podcasters can harness the power of AI to enhance their shows rather than just replace the human element. He emphasizes shifting the focus from what AI can do for you to what you can achieve with AI tools, encouraging podcasters to consider new possibilities that were previously out of reach. Key Takeaways: • Rethink AI's Role in Podcasting – Use AI not to automate your podcast but to unlock new capabilities and improve your content. • Leverage AI for Innovation – AI can help bypass limitations, allowing you to do things that were too time-consuming or costly before. • Prepare for Rapid Advancements – With AI technology evolving quickly, thinking ahead about how it can serve your podcast will keep you ahead of the curve. Resources Mentioned: • Podcast Movement Conference – podcastmovement.com • The Podcast Partnership – podcastpartnership.com • Paul On X – twitter.com/colligan Call to Action: Join the conversation! Share your ideas on how AI can enhance your podcast. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow The Podcast Report on social media for the latest insights. Thanks for listening! For more info, check out https://podcastpartnership.com/

Paul Colligan delves into how to leverage AI to simplify and future-proof your podcast production. Introduction of the Future Proofed AI Bypass Machine, a framework designed to automate and streamline the podcasting workflow by bypassing unnecessary steps. The importance of allowing AI to handle tasks to reduce complexity, save time, and enhance efficiency, enabling podcasters to focus on creating great content rather than getting bogged down in technical processes. Key Takeaways: The Power of AI in Podcasting – Understanding how AI can eliminate steps in production rather than adding complexity. Introducing the Future Proofed AI Bypass Machine – A framework to automate and streamline your podcast workflow for future-proofing. Simplify Your Production Process – How recording and sharing can be the only steps you need, with AI handling the rest. The Role of the 'Smart Person in the Middle' (SPITM) – Leveraging expertise to bridge the gap between technology and podcasters for seamless integration. Future-Proofing Your Podcast – Strategies to adapt and evolve with technological advancements without overhauling your workflow. Resources Mentioned: Apple Notes with Audio Transcription – Apple Notes Support Otter.ai for Transcription – Otter.ai ECAMM Live – ECAMM Live Dan Sullivan's Strategic Coach – Strategic Coach If you're ready to future-proof your podcast production, reach out to Paul Colligan for a copy of the Future Proofed AI Bypass Machine framework. Don't forget to subscribe to The Podcast Report, leave a review, and follow us on social media for more insights into the evolving world of podcasting. Thanks for listening! For more info, check out https://podcastpartnership.com/

Paul Colligan welcomes Dave Jackson from the School of Podcasting to discuss what podcasters need to know to succeed in 2024. They dive into the evolving landscape of podcasting, exploring how YouTube's push into the space and the rise of AI tools are shaping the industry. Paul and Dave offer insights on leveraging new technologies like ChatGPT and Descript, balancing short-form content with long-form value, and strategies to keep your podcast engaging in this rapidly changing environment. Key Takeaways: • The State of Podcasting in 2024 – With fewer new podcasts being created, there are opportunities for creators willing to innovate and fill gaps in the market. • YouTube's Impact on Podcasting – Understanding YouTube's role and whether its venture into podcasting will significantly move the needle. • Leveraging AI Tools – How tools like ChatGPT and Descript can assist in content creation and editing while emphasizing the importance of the human touch. • Navigating Short-Form Content – Tips on using shorts, TikTok, and snippets effectively without cannibalizing your long-form content. • Timeless Advice – The importance of not being boring and consistently delivering value to your audience. Guest Highlights: Dave Jackson – Host of the School of Podcasting and experienced podcast consultant. Dave shares his expertise on current trends, offering practical advice on harnessing AI and social media platforms to enhance your podcast. Resources Mentioned: • School of Podcasting – schoolofpodcasting.com • Descript – descript.com • Eddie by Headliner – headliner.app/eddie • ChatGPT – openai.com/chatgpt Thanks for listening! For more info, check out https://podcastpartnership.com/