
Thank you! Thank you for supporting this small, mama-owned biz. Thank you for entrusting me with your podcast education and for being a part of the Pineapple Podcasting Family!
The next few weeks are about to rock your face off! So let's get going, shall we?!
Watch my video to learn how this course rolls, what to expect, and how you can get the most out of this Academy.
Remember that you can do this. You are here for a reason my friend. There's a message, a story, an idea, a wisdom, or a joy sitting inside of you — just waiting to burst out through the mic and change the lives of yourself and others.
So, let's get this party started!
Learn a very brief history of podcasting plus the perks that podcasting provides to creatives like us!
I also share my own personal journey as a podcaster, plus tips for crushing it in week 1.
I also give you a tour inside my favorite podcasts and point out unique shows to help you think outside the box.
This will help get your brainstorm juices flowing before starting Week 1 of the Academy.
Let's get you set up with the proper podcasting equipment!
Don't forget to download the Podcast Hosting Options Cheat Sheet (in your downloads section).
Further Resources:
How Criminal Podcast achieves superb field recorded interviews (microphones and equipment for high-budget field recording). Read here.
Polymash.com: Microphone/equipment reviews (a great resource for podcasters of all budgets to find the right equipment for their needs). Read here.
Podcast Hosting
My #1 Recommendation is Libsyn.com - Get your first full month for free by using code SAM at checkout.
Equipment Options:
Microphones:
High budget - Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Microphone ($399)
Medium budget - The ATR2100 ($79)
Low budget - The CAD Audio USB U1 ($17)
Headphones:
High budget - Bose Wireless Noise Cancelling ($300)
Medium budget - OneOdi ($50)
Low budget - Apple EarPods ($20) - These work great for me!
Boom Arm (make sure it's compatible to YOUR mic):
Boom arm with shock mount and pop screen ($24)
Pop screen (make sure it's compatible to YOUR mic):
Universal pop screen ($13)
Shock Mounts (make sure it's compatible to YOUR mic):
For ATR2100 and others ($29)
Audio Interface (optional):
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools ($210). - Best for high budget shows looking to achieve the most consistent, studio-quality sound. Also helpful for co-host situations.
Today we take your existing show or idea and clarify the What, Who, Why, and How of it! It's time to put on your creativity hats and get to work!
Download the Imaginary Conference Room worksheet from the downloads section and follow along the video for further instructions.
Note- the worksheet will make a LOT more sense if you do it alongside the examples given in the video.
Now that you have a general idea of your podcast Core Concept (the What, Who, Why, and How of your podcast), it's time to get crystal clear about your show. Today's lesson will force you to think more in-depth about your podcast idea and help put your ideas to the test.
These assignments will help you further down the road when making marketing and other detailed decisions about your podcast.
Download the Clarifying Your Core Concept worksheet and follow along the video instructions and examples.
Your podcast description is one of the most important factors in reaching new listeners. Today you'll learn how to write a podcast description that sparkles! ✨
Your podcast description is sort of like an elevator pitch for your show. You'll use it to quickly and intriguingly tell people what your show is about in order to entice them to listen. As in, imagine you're in an elevator with someone and you only have 15 seconds to explain your podcast to them. That's your elevator pitch.
Watch the video above and refer to the work you did in your lesson 2 & 3 worksheets to help you compile a podcast description you'll eventually upload to places like iTunes.
Now that you have a solid concept and description for your podcast, it's time to give this bad boy a name!
Use the worksheet in your downloads section to help you with this assignment, or use your own creative process. Just make sure to go through the final checklist on page 3 of the worksheet to cover some important precautionary measures before settling on your name.
Watch the video for insights into the importance behind naming your show and tons of examples and suggestions on how to approach this task.
It's time to master your microphone, sound settings, and recording space!
If your podcast does not involve interviewing people online feel free to skip this lesson.
My best tips for sounding like a pro podcaster from day one.
Learn basic editing skills like cutting and moving sound clips around, adjusting volume levels, splitting tracks, layering sounds and music, and more.
Learn the difference between sound design and sound editing, and decide whether to hire an editor or do it yourself with practical tips on cost, time, and evaluating candidates.
Define your show's format with consistent intros, outros, sound effects, and music, decide on jingles and ad placement, and align episode length with your audience.
How do listeners find you? What do they see (cover art, titles, details, etc)? And how do you set it all up! Let's dive into the back-end of podcasting and learn how to publish your show properly.
Choose a media host, upload episodes with show details and RSS feed, and plan dynamic versus baked-in advertising for Apple Podcasts distribution.
If you're far away from publishing your podcast you can come back to this lesson later.
Learn how a podcast website centralizes your show, boosts search engine optimization, and helps you monetize, and discover platform options and essential elements like an about page.
This lesson will give you a general overview of the five main strategies podcasters use to monetize their shows AND will lay some important foundational work before you start planning ways to earn an income through podcasting.
If your podcast receives roughly less than 5,000 downloads per episode or 20,000 downloads total per month, then paid advertising might not be a good fit for you show just yet. But, understanding the basic concepts around paid advertising can help you in other areas of podcasting as well, such as affiliate marketing, or advertising your own products.
Master paid advertising for podcasts by exploring backfill programs, dynamic ad insertion, sponsor representation, and contract-driven workflows that keep content first and audiences engaged.
Explore what affiliate marketing is and how it works. Learn to find affiliates that fit your audience, use tracking links, and promote high quality products with disclosures.
Learn how to monetize a podcast by creating digital and physical products, including swag, ebooks, courses, memberships, and donations, guided by simple sales funnels and email-list strategies.
Offer a service to monetize your podcast, with coaching, workshops, readings, and personalized guidance. Systemize pricing and intake, and set clear packages to demonstrate value and attract paying listeners.
Explore how podcast storytelling drives media deals, turning shows into movies or television series, and learn how consistent creators attract opportunities and audiences.
In June of 2021, Apple released a MAJOR update to its Podcast App (Apple Podcast).
The big changes include:
#1- The former "Subscribe" button is now called "Follow"
#2 - Podcast creators can now offer paid Subscription bonuses to their listeners right from the Apple Podcast App, such as offering an ad-free listener experience, bonus content, or early access.
Bottom line...It's a game changer to the industry!
Follow along the Pineapple Podcasting Launch Roadmap found in the downloads section of this page.
Even if you don't intend to hit the top charts anytime soon, understanding how podcast platform algorithms work can help your podcast get found by the people you are trying to reach.
Don't forget to download the Pineapple Podcasting Podcast Trailers Cheat Sheet on this page.
And share your trailer with us in the Facebook group or an upcoming Open Office Hours!
Don't forget to download the PPA Launch Episodes Checklist (in the downloads section on this page) to make sure you're covering all your basis of what to include in your first episodes.
This part of the PPA Launch Roadmap is KEY to maximizing your podcast ranking and findability!
Further Resources:
Don't forget to download your PPA Launch Party Cheat Sheet in the downloads section of this page
Learn how to streamline your podcast by implementing a master filing system in Google Drive, with templates, swipe files, brand kit, and cloud storage to boost organization and collaboration.
Design and implement a podcast workflow using a bird's-eye flow chart. Build a three-stage SOP—pre-production, recording, post-production—with Canva templates and detailed charts to tailor your show.
Learn growth strategies for your podcast, including leveraging other people's platforms and booking interviews. Prioritize SEO, PR, and share-worthy content to drive podcast growth.
Discover what podcast networks are and how they boost distribution, marketing, and ad revenue for multiple shows, with options to join or start your own network.
Celebrate your graduation from Pineapple Podcast Academy and pledge to share ideas, pursue quality, and refine your unique podcasting style, while accessing lifelong updates, office hours, and a supportive community.
Join Pineapple Podcast Academy open office hours to learn launch strategies, Apple Podcasts approval, domain choices, trailer vs episodes, and audience growth through email lists, reviews, and contests.
In this open office hours session, attendees discuss podcast branding, format, monetization, social media strategy, co-production, and technical tips for building and growing a podcast.
Discover a step-by-step system for running an interview-based podcast. Learn how to streamline guest outreach, scheduling, preparation, sound checks, and post-production workflows.
During open office hours, participants discuss growing the Pineapple Podcast Academy, including branding feedback for logos and colors, creating engaging trailers, sponsorship considerations, and leveraging other people's platforms for outreach.
Discover practical podcast launch and growth tips, from Apple Podcasts statistics and Chartable insights to distribution via Libsyn, branding with Canva, Linktree use, and social media optimization.
Explore updates to Apple Podcasts, including follow instead of subscribe, subscriber audio, ad free listening, and new subscription channel features for monetizing and distributing podcasts.
During open office hours, mentors critique the teen podcast 'God over everything,' advising a clearer format, slower delivery, regular guests, and a community-focused strategy to boost retention.
Learn to grow a podcast through transcripts, audience engagement, and building a community. Explore crowd-sourced transcript editing with listeners and hosting conversations via interviews.
Learn how to define your podcast concept and avatar, choose keyword-rich titles, plan early episodes, and select interview gear and recording setups for remote guests.
Define your podcast avatar as the one listener you aim to please, then tailor content and marketing to that niche to grow your tribe and reach your ideal audience.
Learn to launch a real, supportive podcast for single moms by shaping your niche, crafting clear episode titles, designing cover art, and choosing editing options.
Learn how to plan, record, and edit a podcast with GarageBand, choose editors, launch with three episodes, build a backlog, and tackle topics like menopause and mental health.
Learn essential Canva techniques, from sharing your screen and navigating templates to dragging images into boxes and exporting as PDF for podcast visuals.
Discover how to name your podcast with keyword-rich titles, optimize show notes for links and information, and craft an SEO-focused trailer to reach your target audience and improve iTunes visibility.
Learn to choose between solo and interview formats, design interview based episodes with guests, and use reliable recording setups from Zencaster to field mics for consistent podcast growth.
Explore how to merge health coaching and energy-based approaches into a podcast, choose a niche like medical intuition, select effective show branding, and navigate categories, audience growth, and editing.
Hey, you there…the one with the brilliant podcast idea.
I KNOW YOU. I WAS YOU.
YOU’RE CURIOUS ABOUT PODCASTING BUT:
-You have no clue where to start
-You know nothing about editing
-You‘re confused about equipment
- You don’t even know what you’d say
I’ve been there friend, and I’m here to tell you, you can do this. My Course for Creating a Profitable Podcast from Scratch is everything you need to know to started and succeed.
It’s time to take your podcast from ‘on paper’ to ‘on air!’Become the Pineapple of Podcasters –– Stand Tall. Wear a Crown. And Be Sweet on the Inside…Learn how to stand out from the crowd while staying true to yourself.
With Pineapple Podcasting, learn to take your podcast idea and turn it into reality. Don't let a lack of funds or know-how stop you from creating the podcast of your dreams. Pineapple Podcasting takes a bootstrapping approach that absolutely anyone can follow to achieve success.
In Pineapple Podcasting, Samantha shares all her best tactics and tips she used to go from zero to number one with her own podcast. Through action-prompts, checklists, tutorial videos, easy-to-follow directions, and numerous external resources, Samantha holds nothing back. Every person who reads Pineapple Podcasting will leave with all the tools they need to start, grow, and monetize their own podcast––without breaking the bank!