Podcasting Morning Show | Podcast Growth, Launch and Strategy for Indie Podcasters

546. How to Build Better Podcast Sponsorship Packages

Growing a podcast takes more than publishing new episodes. In this conversation, the morning show cast and crew discuss how to build better podcast sponsorships by looking beyond traditional ad reads and making the most of the audience, platforms, and content you already have. From newsletters and social media to community engagement and sponsorship packages, the discussion shares practical ideas for creating partnerships that bring value to both creators and sponsors. Here's the thing, the strongest opportunities often come from the trust you've already built with your audience. Episode Highlights: [03:34] Trailer: I Shake My Head [09:44] Producer Backstory and Growth [14:03] Defining Podcast Real Estate [18:08] Overlooked Assets That Build Trust [22:18] Monetizing Platforms and Video [27:25] Know Your Audience to Monetize [35:23] Newsletter Engagement Tactics [42:21] How to Create Sponsor Packages [45:44] Small vs. Long-Term Sponsorship Deals [51:39] Proving Sponsor Value Links & Resources: Content Creator’s Accountant Blog Post:Audio vs. Video: Where Is Your Audience?  https://www.contentcreatorsaccountant.com/blog/audio-vs-video-audience/ [https://www.contentcreatorsaccountant.com/blog/audio-vs-video-audience/] I Shake My Head Podcast: https://www.ishakemyheadpod.com/ [https://www.ishakemyheadpod.com/] Feature Your Podcast on the Podcasting Morning Show: https://PodcastingMorningShow.com/spotlight [https://podcastingmorningshow.com/spotlight] The Podcasting Morning Show: ⁠⁠www.podcastingmorningshow.com⁠⁠ [https://www.podcastingmorningshow.com] Ways to Watch or Listen:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.podcastingmorningshow.com/joinus/ [https://www.podcastingmorningshow.com/joinus/] Meet the PMS Cast and Crew: ⁠⁠https://podcastingmorningshow.com/people⁠⁠ [https://podcastingmorningshow.com/people] Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group: ⁠⁠www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting] Book A Free Call With Marc: https://calendly.com/ironickmedia/freestrategycall [https://calendly.com/ironickmedia/freestrategycall] Application To Submit Your Show For Evaluation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcastingmorningshow.com/eval⁠⁠ [https://podcastingmorningshow.com/eval] Powered by⁠⁠⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠⁠ [http://ironickmedia.com/]⁠ and⁠ ⁠ContentCreatorsAccountant.com⁠⁠ [http://contentcreatorsaccountant.com] Send in your mailbag questions:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.podcastingmorningshow.com/contact/⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠marc@ironickmedia.com⁠ [https://www.podcastingmorningshow.com/contact] Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Show? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b [https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b]

545. Riverside 2.0 and The Future of Podcast Creation | Podcast News

Podcasting keeps changing, and creators are constantly deciding which tools, platforms, and formats are worth their time. In this episode, the morning show cast and crew discuss the future of podcast creation, including Riverside and other AI-powered production tools, all-in-one workflows, video, newsletters, audience behavior, and why listeners often follow creators instead of platforms. The conversation looks at what these changes mean for independent podcasters without losing sight of what keeps people coming back. Here's the thing: new technology, including platforms like Riverside, can make creating easier, but strong relationships with your audience still matter most. Episode Highlights: [05:50] Podcast Stats and the Summer Slump [13:59] Midyear Money Checkup [20:09] News Bites: Mel Robbins Goes Audio-First [21:57] The Audio vs. Video Editing Debate [27:18] Why Audio Still Comes First [31:23] Car Brands, Radio, and Listening Habits [34:32] CarPlay, Radio, and Earbuds [39:23] Tech Updates: Substack and Captivate [48:15] The Risks of All-in-One Platforms [53:30] Why Fans Follow Creators Links & Resources: Mid-Year Money Check by Ralph Estep: contentcreatorsaccountant.com/blog/mid-year-money-check [https://www.contentcreatorsaccountant.com/blog/mid-year-money-check/] Riverside's Big Announcement: riverside.com/blog/riverside-2-0 [https://riverside.com/blog/riverside-2-0] Podcast SEO Workshop (Arielle Nissenblatt): luma.com/p9u6idp5 [https://luma.com/p9u6idp5] People Follow Creators, Not Platforms: podnews.net/press-release/podcast-atlas [https://podnews.net/press-release/podcast-atlas] Substack Recording Studio: https://on.substack.com/p/introducing-the-substack-recording [https://on.substack.com/p/introducing-the-substack-recording]  Feature Your Podcast on the Podcasting Morning Show: https://PodcastingMorningShow.com/spotlight [https://podcastingmorningshow.com/spotlight] The Podcasting Morning Show: ⁠⁠www.podcastingmorningshow.com⁠⁠ [https://www.podcastingmorningshow.com] Ways to Watch or Listen:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.podcastingmorningshow.com/joinus/ [https://www.podcastingmorningshow.com/joinus/] Meet the PMS Cast and Crew: ⁠⁠https://podcastingmorningshow.com/people⁠⁠ [https://podcastingmorningshow.com/people] Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group: ⁠⁠www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting] Book A Free Call With Marc: https://calendly.com/ironickmedia/freestrategycall [https://calendly.com/ironickmedia/freestrategycall] Application To Submit Your Show For Evaluation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcastingmorningshow.com/eval⁠⁠ [https://podcastingmorningshow.com/eval] Powered by⁠⁠⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠⁠ [http://ironickmedia.com/]⁠ and⁠ ⁠ContentCreatorsAccountant.com⁠⁠ [http://contentcreatorsaccountant.com] Send in your mailbag questions:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.podcastingmorningshow.com/contact/⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠marc@ironickmedia.com⁠ [https://www.podcastingmorningshow.com/contact] Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Show? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b [https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b]

544. Podcast Tax Write-Offs for Podcasters and Content Creators

Treating your podcast like a business starts with understanding podcast tax write-offs and which expenses you can deduct. In this episode, the morning show cast and crew explain podcast tax write-offs for podcasters and content creators, covering the difference between a hobby and a business and the everyday deductions many creators overlook. From podcast equipment and editing software to conferences, home office expenses, and creative side projects, they share practical examples that make tax season easier to understand. Here's the thing, building good financial habits now can save you money and a lot of stress when tax season rolls around. Episode Highlights: [02:31] Saving Bug and Moss [09:22] DJ Gear as a Tax Deduction [12:09] Audit Proof and Business Intent [18:40] Write-Off vs. Business Expense [21:52] Conference and Sponsorship Costs [28:20] Business Vehicle Red Flags [30:20] Why Receipts Beat Bank Statements [33:17] Start Tracking Expenses Today [44:12] Hobby vs. Business Rules [47:59] Common Creator Tax Deductions [49:45] The Six-Step Tax Roadmap Links & Resources: Bug & Moss Special: mbpod.com/bug-and-moss-special [https://www.mbpod.com/bug-and-moss-special] Content Creator’s Accountant Blog Post:Podcast Hobby to Business  contentcreatorsaccountant.com/blog/when-your-podcast-hobby [https://www.contentcreatorsaccountant.com/blog/when-your-podcast-hobby/] Feature Your Podcast on the Podcasting Morning Show: https://PodcastingMorningShow.com/spotlight [https://podcastingmorningshow.com/spotlight] The Podcasting Morning Show: ⁠⁠www.podcastingmorningshow.com⁠⁠ [https://www.podcastingmorningshow.com] Ways to Watch or Listen:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.podcastingmorningshow.com/joinus/ [https://www.podcastingmorningshow.com/joinus/] Meet the PMS Cast and Crew: ⁠⁠https://podcastingmorningshow.com/people⁠⁠ [https://podcastingmorningshow.com/people] Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group: ⁠⁠www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting] Book A Free Call With Marc: https://calendly.com/ironickmedia/freestrategycall [https://calendly.com/ironickmedia/freestrategycall] Application To Submit Your Show For Evaluation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcastingmorningshow.com/eval⁠⁠ [https://podcastingmorningshow.com/eval] Join us every other Monday at 8 AM ET for the Obsession Worthy Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠ http://podcastingmorningshow.com/owp/⁠⁠ [http://podcastingmorningshow.com/owp/] Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 8 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcastingmorningshow.com/clubhouse⁠⁠ [https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0] Powered by⁠⁠⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠⁠ [http://ironickmedia.com/]⁠ and⁠ ⁠ContentCreatorsAccountant.com⁠⁠ [http://contentcreatorsaccountant.com] Send in your mailbag questions:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.podcastingmorningshow.com/contact/⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠marc@ironickmedia.com⁠ [https://www.podcastingmorningshow.com/contact] Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Show? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b [https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b]

543. How Effective Is Your Podcast Cover Art?

Your podcast has only a few seconds to make a first impression, and that moment often starts before anyone hears a single word. In this episode, the morning show cast and crew discuss what makes your podcast cover art stand out, how artwork influences listener decisions, and why branding, readability, and simplicity matter more than adding extra design elements. The conversation also covers episode thumbnails, AI-generated artwork, and practical ways to test what actually gets people to press play. Here's the thing, small changes to your visuals can make a bigger difference than you might expect. Episode Highlights: [01:55] Unboxing a 3D-Printed Gift [06:39] How Taglines Boost Search Discovery [11:50] Apple’s “Featured in This Show” Links [16:29] Cover Art Questions Kickoff [18:12] Cover Art Specs, Ratios, and Testing [23:17] Measuring Click-Through Success [30:11] Your Cover Art Is the First Handshake [34:05] Why Faces Build Trust [38:32] The Billboard Rule: Five Words or Less [45:06] Should You Disclose AI Artwork? Links & Resources: Chuck Taylor:  https://www.tiktok.com/@thechucktaylor33/video/7647318172294565151 [https://www.tiktok.com/@thechucktaylor33/video/7647318172294565151] What 500 Episodes Reveal About Podcast Success: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjoH1dcpPNM [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjoH1dcpPNM] Feature Your Podcast on the Podcasting Morning Show: https://PodcastingMorningShow.com/spotlight [https://podcastingmorningshow.com/spotlight] The Podcasting Morning Show: ⁠⁠www.podcastingmorningshow.com⁠⁠ [https://www.podcastingmorningshow.com] Ways to Watch or Listen:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.podcastingmorningshow.com/joinus/ [https://www.podcastingmorningshow.com/joinus/] Meet the PMS Cast and Crew: ⁠⁠https://podcastingmorningshow.com/people⁠⁠ [https://podcastingmorningshow.com/people] Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group: ⁠⁠www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting] Book A Free Call With Marc: https://calendly.com/ironickmedia/freestrategycall [https://calendly.com/ironickmedia/freestrategycall] Application To Submit Your Show For Evaluation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcastingmorningshow.com/eval⁠⁠ [https://podcastingmorningshow.com/eval] Join us every other Monday at 8 AM ET for the Obsession Worthy Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠ http://podcastingmorningshow.com/owp/⁠⁠ [http://podcastingmorningshow.com/owp/] Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 8 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcastingmorningshow.com/clubhouse⁠⁠ [https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0] Powered by⁠⁠⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠⁠ [http://ironickmedia.com/]⁠ and⁠ ⁠ContentCreatorsAccountant.com⁠⁠ [http://contentcreatorsaccountant.com] Send in your mailbag questions:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.podcastingmorningshow.com/contact/⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠marc@ironickmedia.com⁠ [https://www.podcastingmorningshow.com/contact] Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Show? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b [https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b]

542. YouTube Is Now the Top Podcast Discovery Platform

Finding new listeners has never been easier, yet getting discovered can still feel like one of the biggest challenges in podcasting. In this episode, the morning show cast and crew discuss how YouTube has become a major Podcast Discovery Platform, changing the way audiences find and engage with new shows. The conversation covers listener behavior, social media's role in growth, AI-generated content, advertising trends, and why creators need to think beyond traditional podcast apps. Most podcasts don't struggle because there aren't enough listeners. They struggle because those listeners are discovering content in places many creators aren't paying attention to. Episode Highlights: [02:41] Game Talk [06:13] News and Data Roundup [14:19] Business Bite: Beyond CPM Revenue [21:01] Amanda Returns Update [27:08] Shure Microphone Deals [28:51] The AI Podcast Flood [30:24] The Transparency Debate [32:06] Regulation Risks for AI Content [39:56] Netflix and Video Podcasts [47:49] YouTube's Discovery Shift [50:04] Podcast Growth Tactics Breakdown [53:29] Paid Ads and Podcast Websites [01:00:02] Using AI for Analytics Links & Resources: Empowered Podcasting LIVE! (live or recorded): https://podcastingmorningshow.com/epclive [https://e] Shure's 4-day Sale: https://www.shure.com/en-US/special-offers [https://www.shure.com/en-US/special-offers] Feature Your Podcast on the Podcasting Morning Show: https://PodcastingMorningShow.com/spotlight [https://podcastingmorningshow.com/spotlight] The Podcasting Morning Show: ⁠⁠www.podcastingmorningshow.com⁠⁠ [https://www.podcastingmorningshow.com] Ways to Watch or Listen:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.podcastingmorningshow.com/joinus/ [https://www.podcastingmorningshow.com/joinus/] Meet the PMS Cast and Crew: ⁠⁠https://podcastingmorningshow.com/people⁠⁠ [https://podcastingmorningshow.com/people] Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group: ⁠⁠www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting] Book A Free Call With Marc: https://calendly.com/ironickmedia/freestrategycall [https://calendly.com/ironickmedia/freestrategycall] Application To Submit Your Show For Evaluation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcastingmorningshow.com/eval⁠⁠ [https://podcastingmorningshow.com/eval] Join us every other Monday at 8 AM ET for the Obsession Worthy Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠ http://podcastingmorningshow.com/owp/⁠⁠ [http://podcastingmorningshow.com/owp/] Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 8 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcastingmorningshow.com/clubhouse⁠⁠ [https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0] Powered by⁠⁠⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠⁠ [http://ironickmedia.com/]⁠ and⁠ ⁠ContentCreatorsAccountant.com⁠⁠ [http://contentcreatorsaccountant.com] Send in your mailbag questions:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.podcastingmorningshow.com/contact/⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠marc@ironickmedia.com⁠ [https://www.podcastingmorningshow.com/contact] Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Show? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b [https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b]