Description

About the Guest(s):

James Cridland: A seasoned radio futurologist, James Cridland has dedicated over 36 years to the radio industry. He is the editor of Podnews, a leading newsletter that focuses on podcasts and on-demand content. His expertise in the digital audio world positions him as a thought leader and an influencer in the industry.

Wade Kingsley: An innovative thinker in the podcasting realm, Wade Kingsley is the founder of Podtential, a business aimed at helping independent podcasters realise their full potential. With a background in commercial radio consultancy, Wade brings a wealth of knowledge to the podcasting industry. His new venture, Podtential, is designed to support podcasters by offering a comprehensive toolkit to aid their growth and development.

Episode Summary:

James interviews Wade on his own podcast, providing a unique twist to explore the innovative strategies emerging for independent podcasters.

As the founder of Podtential, Wade Kingsley introduces listeners to a pioneering service that focuses on growing independent podcasts through data-driven methodologies. This episode unveils Podtential's flagship tool, PRO (Podcast Review and Optimiser), which evaluates podcasts using 100 distinct data points. Wade provides an understanding of how these metrics - spanning ambition, concept, audience engagement, content quality, marketing, and commercialisation strategy - can help podcasters identify growth opportunities. His goal is to offer strategic support, enabling podcasts to nurture and engage their communities and potentially monetise their content.

The discussion also delves into broader podcasting tactics, including the role of marketing, search engine optimisation, and the potential impact of artificial intelligence on discoverability.

Key Takeaways:

• Podtential's Mission: Wade Kingsley is committed to helping independent podcasters reach their potential through tailored support and data-based insights.
• PRO: Podtential's flagship tool, PRO, analyses 100 data points to evaluate and guide podcast expansion strategies.
• The Role of Marketing: Effective podcast growth involves strategic marketing efforts, which may not always require large budgets but do need a keen understanding of audience engagement.
• Audio vs. Video: The choice between focusing on audio or incorporating video should align with a podcast’s specific goals and audience needs.
• Industry Perspective: Wade's shift from commercial radio to podcasting underscores a strategic move towards a sector teeming with growth possibilities.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Potential - I think it sums up exactly what I want to help independent podcasters do." — Wade Kingsley
2. "The amount of podcasts that don't start with a goal, I reckon is a little bit scary." — Wade Kingsley
3. "I don't have all the answers. I'm not saying I'm a podcasting expert, but I feel like I have a helpful tool." — Wade Kingsley
4. "If I can continue to be that support for independent podcasters, then that's a good reason to get out of bed every day." — Wade Kingsley

Resources:

• Podtential Website: podtential.com
• Pod News: A daily podcast news resource edited by James Cridland available at podnews.net.