Do You Know Who Has Control of Your Audience? Do They Have Your Best Interests in Mind?

December 20, 2007 by Jason

Kent Nichols, of the very popular and successful Ask a Ninja video podcast, has started a blog. I’d like to add some additional insights to his first post which brings up an important point

2 Comments For This Post

1

Lisa Cooke
January 11th, 2008 at 1:18 pm

Jason,
Don’t hesitate to be honest, because we podcasters need to hear it and think these things through. I took your advice about setting up a newsletter to create a mailing list early on, and I’m glad every day that I did. My list is about 1/3 of my average listening audience. Is this number where it should be? What percentage of your audience is your list? Would love to hear your thoughts on this, and tips on how to get those holding off to sign up. It’s to their benefit and ours! Thanks for all you do, Lisa at the Genealogy Gems Podcast.
2

Jason Van Orden
January 12th, 2008 at 1:09 pm

@Lisa,

For Internet Business Mastery, our email list is about 25-35% of the total listening audience to each episode. So it sounds like you are on par with what we experience.

With my podcasting email list, it is much larger. But I have people signing up from several different sites and not just my Podcasting Underground blog. I get a lot of traffic and sign ups from my tutorial site.

Two things you can do to increase sign-ups:

1. Offer a powerful incentive
2. Mention it on every episode

Listen to the outro of Internet Business Mastery to see what we do.

Get Your FREE Email Newsletter

Fill out the form below and click the button...you'll immediately receive my Marketing Your Podcast seminar including slides, audio and video (1h22m).

In addition you'll get the latest tips on marketing your business with podcasting and other online media.

I follow a strict privacy policy and never send spam.

Let's Connect

Connect with me on the following social networks.

What People Are Saying

Jason Van Orden tells us everything a good guerrilla marketer should know about podcasting.

—Jay Conrad Levinson, Author, Guerrilla Marketing

Podcasting without a marketing plan is like driving without a steering wheel. Jason has written the definitive book on podcast promotion.

—Chris Pirillo, LockerGnome.com

Jason has been one of the most popular speakers at our events. He exceeds the expectations of the audience. I appreciate speakers that make my conference a "must-attend" event. Jason is definitely one of those speakers.

—Tim Bourquin, Founder of the New Media Expo

Since hearing you speak I've implemented a number of your strategies. The result: 40% growth in my download stats since the beginning of October. Thanks!

—Jamie Davis, PodMedic

I did a search in iTunes and guess what: I'm #1! I jumped above all my competitors with one edit of my title! So thank you, Jason, because once again you motivated me not to accept less than what I wanted and helped me uncover the secrets to get there. Thanks for being my virtual podcasting mentor!

—Lisa Cooke, Genealogy Gems

Thanks to Jason's advice, Japancast has (as of this writing) become the number one audio blog in the iTunes music store.

—Paul & Hitomi Griswold, Japancast

I loved your book! It sits next to my computer as I work. It's my critical reference for everything I'm doing. I went from 2300 hits per month to 30,000 per month from August to October this year. Thanks so much!

—Dave Barber, Webguy

Your course has been fantastic! You're a very thorough and patient teacher and have the knack of anticipating questions before I have the chance to ask them. This course has saved me months of searching and trial and error.

—Scott Stroud, BuilderRadio.com

People say any job is easy if you have the right tool. To this I add, "But you have to know how to use the tool." Jason's book shows you where the tool shed is, which tools are the best, and how to use each one.

—Dave Jackson, School of Podcasting

Jason is one talented individual. I've been involved in video and audio production for thirty years and yet I'm learning valuable lessons from him. If you want to learn how to record quality podcasts and create an audience, Jason is the guy to learn from.

—Art Juchno, Senior Media Specilist, University of Wisconsin-Stout

Of all the consultants I've worked with to become Web 2.0 literate -- and there have been many -- Jason Van Orden has been the most important to me. My podcasts are now linked to by some of the highest-traffic websites. Also, thanks in great part to Jason, my blog has won an award.

—Julia Schopick, HonestMedicine.com

After listening to Jason's podcast, I began using the principles he outlined. The number of listeners to our podcast went through the roof! I started podcasting as a hobby, but now I'm making money with it, too. Thanks, Jason!

—Kevin Harter, Backslash's TechTalk

Following Jason's lead helped me to avoid many of the pitfalls that plague most novice podcasters. Thanks to Jason, the podcast and blog for my book, Global Mobile, were up and running in no time at all!

—Fred Johnson, Author

Jason, I wanted to let you know that my podcast has been featured on the iTunes homepage, giving it a nice boost in subscribership. Following the advice in your book closely contributed to the success the show is enjoying now. Thanks again for the guidance you provide to the podcast community.

—Anthony Rotolo, Design Guy Podcast

This morning my backpack was left on the top of the car and flew off. The first thing I thought of was that I had lost your book.

—John A. Ciampa, Blogger School

I honestly listen to each of your episodes over and over again. I'd sit and imagine myself podcasting. With tears in my eyes, even as I share this with you...YOU GAVE ME HOPE! Now I'm a podcaster and doing well at it. I was featured in iTunes!

—Rob Gamble, Consultant

Jason, I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know the value of your podcasting blog. When I met you at the considerably less than average [conference] last year, I told you that your presentation saved the conference for me. And that remains very true.

—B.L. Lindstrom, Authorian Adventures in the Ether

I just wanted to check in and let you know that all the course content is awesome! I'm really getting into the meat and potatoes of this stuff, and find your descriptions on how to do everything, perfect.

—Steve Gutman, Obediance Dog Training

Thank you for putting out all the tremendous information and very effective suggestions. You are building a legion of consumers that are benefiting financially from your freely shared expertise. I am a lifetime supporter of whatever you do.

—Christine Jump, Craft Brew Cast

I thought we at least should say "hi" for all that you've done for us. We've got three podcast going because of your help. None of this could have been done without your help. Thanks so much!

—Tim & Wendy McMahan, Foster Podcast

You have a real gift for laying out complex information in a very accessible and easy-to-understand manner. For a guy like me who knows enough about technology to be very dangerous, your website was a God-send. I imagine you enjoy what you do, because it shows.

—Don Ray