Podcast Method

Episode 31: A Quick Status Update!

Dan Benjamin — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 12:45:00 -0500

I'm still making Podcast Method ... now on YouTube.

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Dan Benjamin's YouTube Channel

Episode 30: Podcasting from Home

Dan Benjamin — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 14:30:00 -0500

Dan talks about the best microphone for recording at home, presidential mics, Zencastr, post processing (compression, normalization, and EQ), and your questions.

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iHeartMedia CEO Talks Coronavirus, Podcasting Push | Hollywood Reporter — As consumers "run out of time for their eyes," podcasting is also a growth area, Bob Pittman also says.
hybrIP - Talk Show System in a Web Browser
Call in Studio - The cloud based call in platform for broadcasters.
Why The Podcast Advertising Market Has Not Yet Reached Its Full Potential 03/10/2020 — The podcast industry has seen explosive growth over the last few years. Today, more than 90 million people in the U.S.— approximately 32% of the U.S. population over the age of 12 — have listened to a podcast in the past month (up from 21 million people just three years ago) reports Edison Research. Podcasts have become an important medium to consume content, but effective monetization is a challenge. The industry has been stuck in a bygone era, due to misaligned incentives, the distributed nature of podcasts, and most importantly, a lack of standards for data and metrics.
Amazon.com: Samson Q2U USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone Recording and Podcasting Pack (Includes Mic Clip, Desktop Stand, Windscreen and Cables): Musical Instruments
Shure SM57 - Wikipedia
Shure Webinar: The SM57 and the President of the United States - YouTube
Shure SM58 - Wikipedia
Zencastr
(3) Andy Polaine on Twitter: "@danbenjamin my recording fort. The desk acoustic foam panels I can put away and the one on the right is a big Marimekko print in a canvas stretcher with foam behind it. The ones on the wall I built with Rockwool in wood frames and nice fabric. Sound is blind, but I’m not. https://t.co/QHQf9kHekM" / Twitter
Podcast Method Episode 2: If It Sounds Good, It Is Good — All about compression.
Homepage | Focusrite
Amazon.com: Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 (3rd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First: Musical Instruments

Episode 29: Recording Fort

Dan Benjamin — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 09:00:00 -0600

Dan talks about the best ways to record a podcast with remote guests, route and record multiple audio sources with software, podcast industry statistics, niche podcasts, my current recording gear, and my favorite mic.

Please support this sponsorless podcast on Patreon. I need your support to continue producing this program.

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VB-Audio Virtual Apps — VB-CABLE is a virtual audio device working as virtual audio cable. All audio signals coming in the CABLE input is transported to the CABLE output. Then It becomes simple to make computer audio recording or to connect a player application to a recorder one.
Sound recording tools: Total Recorder - captures any audio from the Internet, records audio from CD, microphone, line-in, converts any sound formats to WAVE and MP3 — You can record streaming audio, Mic input, or Line-in input from external devices connected to your PC. The resulting files are saved on your computer's hard-drive.
Rogue Amoeba | Audio Hijack: Record Any Audio on MacOS — Record any application's audio, including VoIP calls from Skype, web streams from Safari, and much more. Save audio from hardware devices like microphones and mixers as well. You can even record all the audio heard on your Mac at once! If you can hear it, Audio Hijack can record it.
Rogue Amoeba | Loopback: Cable-Free Audio Routing — It's easy to pass audio between applications on your Mac, with the power of Loopback. Create virtual audio devices to take the sound from apps and audio input devices, then pass it to any audio processing software. With an easy-to-use wire-based interface, Loopback gives you the power of a high-end studio mixing board, right inside your computer!
Rogue Amoeba | SoundSource: A Superior Sound Control — Control audio on a per-app basis, adjusting the volume and output device for individual apps. Apply an equalizer and other audio effects to any audio on your Mac. Even adjust your Mac's audio device settings and levels instantly, from anywhere. It's all possible right from your menu bar, with SoundSource.
Public media found its answer to Spotify in Pocket Casts - The Verge — BBC Studios and Pocket Casts are announcing today that the British company is investing in the American podcast player. The decision comes at a time when multiple podcast apps, most notably Spotify, are committing themselves to a strategy of exclusive shows designed to build loyalty to their platform. Pocket Casts is instead committed to podcasting’s open ecosystem of freely available RSS feeds, CEO Owen Grover says.
Many podcast episodes won’t play in web browsers later this year — If your podcast host isn’t hosting its audio on a secure server (that uses https:// at the beginning) then be aware that any embedded audio player will fail in October this year: Google Chrome will block non-HTTPS audio in embedded players once Chrome gets to v86.
What Podcast Sellers Say Is Needed To Achieve $2 Billion In Podcast Ad Revenue - Westwood One — Overall, while the buy side and sell side are in general agreement on the miserable state of podcast measurement, sellers are a bit more positive. Only 5% of brands and agencies rate podcast measurement and attribution as “excellent.” 10% of sellers indicated the current state to be “excellent.”
Podcast Industry Statistics - My Podcast Reviews — The latest data from Apple Podcasts, updated nightly, courtesy of My Podcast Reviews™.
What app buttons should you have on your podcast website? — What app buttons should you have on your podcast website?
Niche Podcasts Have More Listeners, Indicating Untapped Advertising Opportunities - Media Monitors
(187) Joe Rogan Experience #1436 - Adam Curry - YouTube
The Picard: S01E05: Apropriately Sinister
Amazon.com: Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 (3rd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First: Musical Instruments — My current 4-mic pre-amp.
Amazon.com: Universal Audio Arrow Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface: Musical Instruments — My previous (and current travel) pre-amp.

Episode 28: Born In The Halls

Dan Benjamin — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 08:00:00 -0600

Dan talks about the Podcast Academy Awards, the podcast gold rush, new mics from Rode, transcription services, in-browser recording and editing, and your questions.

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Episode 27: Waking Up

Dan Benjamin — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 18:00:00 -0600

Dan talks about Spotify and The Ringer, rising podcast revenue, the size of podcast audiences, Chartable and IAB, SiriusXM and SoundCloud, Audio Hijack, travel USB/XLR mics, 4-input audio interfaces, and listener questions!

Please support the show on Patreon!

Support Podcast Method

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Spotify is buying Bill Simmons’s The Ringer - Vox — Spotify is making yet another big-budget purchase aimed at getting a lead in the growing podcast industry: The streaming music company has agreed to a deal to purchase The Ringer, the podcast-centric media company run and owned by Bill Simmons.
The Ringer’s Price Tag Revealed. | Podcast News Daily | insideradio.com — In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Spotify tells investors that it will pay between $141 and $195 million for The Ringer.
Podcast Ad Revenues Are Quickly Rising - eMarketer Trends, Forecasts & Statistics — The podcasting industry continues to explode with potential for advertisers, and the numbers show it: Marketers spent $479 million on podcast ads in 2018, and podcast advertising revenues are projected to surpass $1 billion by 2021, according to figures from the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and PwC.
Nielsen: Podcast Listening On Track To Double By 2023. | Podcast News Daily | insideradio.com — More than two decades since becoming a thing, podcast listening is now expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 20%, according to Nielsen Scarborough data from 2014-2019. If that rate continues, the podcast audience could double by 2023. “It’s still growing at a tremendous clip,” Tony Hereau, VP Cross Platform Insights at Nielsen, said Tuesday.
Chartable achieves IAB Tech Lab Podcast Measurement Certification - Chartable — Chartable, the podcast measurement company, today announced that it has been officially certified by the IAB Technology Laboratory.
SiriusXM Makes $75 Million Investment in SoundCloud – Variety — SiriusXM Holdings has invested $75 million in SoundCloud, the open audio platform beloved by musicians that has struggled to find a place in a the streaming-service hierarchy. SoundCloud will use this additional investment to accelerate its product development and enhance the services that fuel its global community of creators and listeners, according to the announcement.
Google Podcasts — Google's new podcast homepage.
Podcast Subscriber Tracking Is Pointless - Evo Terra - Medium — Most podcasters want one thing: for people to listen to their content. So it makes sense that understanding a podcast’s total subscriber count would be a good thing. Only… it isn’t.
Amazon.com: Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 (3rd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First: Musical Instruments
Amazon.com: Universal Audio Arrow Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface: Musical Instruments
Amazon.com: Samson Q2U USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone Recording and Podcasting Pack (Includes Mic Clip, Desktop Stand, Windscreen and Cables): Musical Instruments
Amazon.com: Shure SM58-LC Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone: Musical Instruments
RØDECaster Pro
Rogue Amoeba | Audio Hijack: Record Any Audio on MacOS — Record any application's audio, including VoIP calls from Skype, web streams from Safari, and much more. Save audio from hardware devices like microphones and mixers as well. You can even record all the audio heard on your Mac at once! If you can hear it, Audio Hijack can record it.
Amazon.com: Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Microphone: Musical Instruments
Open Podcast Analytics Working Group
Fireside Podcast Hosting and Analytics — Use promo code PODCASTMETHOD2020 for 20% off for two months!

Episode 26: One Take

Dan Benjamin — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 14:00:00 -0500

Dan talks about podcast networks (and the evolution of 5by5), and answers listener questions about how sponsorships really work and what sponsors want (guaranteed numbers, CPM, ROI), audience engagement, Skype vs. double-enders, building audience, and finding inspiration.

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Brought to you by:

Squarespace (Start your free trial site today, at Squarespace.com and when you sign up make sure to use the offer code PODCASTMETHOD to get 10% off your first purchase).

Episode 25: Stand Up

Dan Benjamin — Wed, 08 Mar 2017 13:00:00 -0600

Dan talks about improving sound quality, motivation, mute switches, how and when to end a show, syncing audio and video, and more.

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Squarespace (Start your free trial site today, at Squarespace.com and when you sign up make sure to use the offer code PODCASTMETHOD to get 10% off your first purchase).

Episode 24: Get Pumped

Dan Benjamin — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 16:15:00 -0600

Dan talks about staying organized, working with a co-host, commitment, live streaming, sound dampening, budget friendly live call-in solutions, New & Noteworthy, iPhone/iPad recording solutions, and transcripts.

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Brought to you by:

Squarespace (Start your free trial site today, at Squarespace.com and when you sign up make sure to use the offer code PODCASTMETHOD to get 10% off your first purchase).

Episode 23: Production Values

Dan Benjamin — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 11:45:00 -0600

Dan answers your questions about affiliate codes, post production tweaks, video skype calls, gain staging, audio interface migrating, trying out new microphones, and starting new shows.

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Brought to you by:

Squarespace (Start your free trial site today, at Squarespace.com and when you sign up make sure to use the offer code PODCASTMETHOD to get 10% off your first purchase).
HelloFresh (For $35 off your first week of deliveries, visit HelloFresh.com and enter PODCASTMETHOD when you subscribe).

Episode 22: The Future

Dan Benjamin — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 08:45:00 -0500

Dan talks about the start of 5by5 and its CMS, sticking to your wheelhouse, and answers listener questions about recording a double ender vs Skype recording, minimum downloads that appeal to sponsors, how the future of podcasting compares to blogging, how to get guests on your show, how hosts get paid per show, and cover art.

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Linode (Visit Linode.com/podcastmethod and use the promo code 'podcastmethod20' for $20 credit).
Squarespace (Visit Squarespace.com/podcastmethod and use the code PODCASTMETHOD for a free trial and 10% off your first purchase).

Support Podcast Method

Episode 21: Versatility

Dan Benjamin — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 11:45:00 -0500

Dan talks about gear for recording in the field and in the studio, making specific vs. general podcasts, versatility in podcasting, the Cloudlifter vs. DBX, Apple's Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter, using Zencastr instead of Skype, writing good show notes, and guidelines for good gain.

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Brought to you by:

Linode (Visit Linode.com/podcastmethod and use promo code 'podcastmethod20' for $20 credit).
Bench (Visit the link to get 20% off your first six months).
Squarespace (Visit Squarespace.com/podcastmethod and use the code PODCASTMETHOD for a free trial and 10% off your first purchase).

Episode 20: Balance

Dan Benjamin — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 10:30:00 -0600

Shifting the focus back to listener emails, Dan talks about finding a good co-host, balancing levels, story-style podcasts, replacement episodes, DMCAs, lavalier mics, a Fireside update, and the right way to end a podcast.

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Brought to you by:

Linode (Visit Linode.com/podcastmethod and use promo code 'podcastmethod20' for $20 credit).
Bench (Visit the link to get 20% off your first six months).

Episode 19: New Tools

Dan Benjamin — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 17:15:00 -0600

Dan talks about new tools for podcasters, mic technique, naming your podcast, standing out as an independant podcaster, and answers your questions.

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Brought to you by:

Linode (Visit the link and use the code 'podcastmethod20' for $20 towards your account.)
Squarespace (Visit Squarespace.com/PodcastMethod and use the code PODCASTMETHOD for a free trial and 10% off your first purchase.)

Episode 18: Commodities

Dan Benjamin — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 08:00:00 -0600

Dan answers questions about interviewing Weird Al Yankovic, how podcasts are disruptive to radio, the importance of iTunes reviews, creating guest contracts, the Rode Podcaster, nice podcast audiences, getting a fair CPM from your sponsors, how to measure a podcast's success, a low-end recording computer, the progress of the hosting/stats platform, and more.

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Brought to you by Hover (You can get 10% off your first purchase by going to Hover.com and using the code PODCASTMETHOD at checkout).

Episode 17: Independent Voices

Dan Benjamin — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 20:00:00 -0600

Dan talks about the importance of independent content, configuring Skype for optimum results, noise gating and compression for noisy rooms and environments, recording panels and live performances, and more.

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Brought to you by Hover (You can get 10% off your first purchase by going to Hover.com and using the code PODCASTMETHOD at checkout).

Episode 16: Eliminating Barriers

Dan Benjamin — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 15:15:00 -0600

Dan talks about techniques, websites, and apps you can use to prepare for podcasts and interviews, eliminating barriers between you and your listeners, Google Play and podcasting, and listener questions.

Links for this episode:

Brought to you by lynda (Visit lynda.com/podcastmethod to get free 10-day trial access to their 3,000+ courses) and Hover (You can get 10% off your first purchase by going to Hover.com and using the code PODCASTMETHOD at checkout).

Episode 15: Back to Basics

Dan Benjamin — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 15:30:00 -0500

Dan talks about the importance of getting back to basics, mastering mic technique, understanding your room's audio presence, icecast and nicecast, having a pre-flight checklist, ad blocking in podcasts, and more.

Links for this episode:

Brought to you by Squarespace (Visit squarespace.com/podcastmethod and use the code PODCASTMETHOD at checkout for a free trial and 10% off your first purchase) and lynda (Visit lynda.com/podcastmethod to get free 10 day trial access to their 3,000+ courses).

Episode 14: Rapport

Dan Benjamin — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 10:00:00 -0500

From desktop mic booms to mix-minus, Dan answers listener questions about equipment, digital audio interfaces, how to apply effects to multi-track recordings, how to handle USB mic latency, developing a rapport with co-hosts, workflow and file-sharing, when to use the amazing Levelator, and more.

Links for this episode:

Brought to you by Squarespace (Use the code PODCASTMETHOD for a free trial and 10% off your brand new website), lynda (Visit lynda.com/PodcastMethod to get free 10 day trial access to there 3,000+ courses), and Warby Parker (Visit WarbyParker.com/PodcastMethod to get free 3 day shipping on your awesome new glasses).

Episode 13: Media Figures

Dan Benjamin — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 16:00:00 -0500

Dan talks about the affect "media figures" (aka famous people) are having on podcasting, the recent Midroll acquisition, Ira Glass going independent, and a preview of his upcoming Podcast Movement talk about the past, present, and future of podcasting. He also answers questions about recording software, sports podcasts, and more.

Sponsored by Lynda. Please visit http://lynda.com/podcastmethod for a free 10-day trial.

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Episode 12: A Level Playing Field

Dan Benjamin — Fri, 22 May 2015 18:00:00 -0500

Dan talks about the importance of independent podcasts, guest contracts, booking your first sponsor, one-person shows, guest and co-host compensation, and the Spotify podcasting situation.

Links for this episode:

Sponsored by Lynda. Visit http://lynda.com/podcastmethod for a free 10-day trial and access to over 3,000 videos.

Episode 11: "The Essence of Podcasting"

Dan Benjamin — Thu, 07 May 2015 09:00:00 -0500

Dan answers listener questions and talks about recording great interviews, making the switch from hulking desktop mixers with faders to digital mixers, the importance of monitoring your own voice, and more.

Links for this episode:

Sponsored by Lynda! Use this link to get a 10-day free trial and access to more than 3,000 video courses.

Episode 10: Don't Hold Back. Except Sometimes.

Dan Benjamin — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 10:00:00 -0500

Dan talks about interviewing, holding back content, daily and weekly vs. evergreen episodes, the best day to release an episode, minimum downloads needed to get a sponsor, tips for transitioning your feed, and workflows.

Special guest Jordan Cooper joins the show to reveal his tips and experiences with growing your audience.

Links for this episode:

The Dan Benjamin Hour
My new daily show.
Back to Work
Jordan Cooper on Twitter
Tech Douchebags on 5by5
The Morning Dump

Sponsored by lynda (Visit the link for free 10 day trial access to all their 3,000+ courses), Harry's (Use the code PODCASTMETHOD for $5 off your first purchase) and Hover (Visit the link to learn more and get the domain of your dreams).

Episode 9: Saving Time

Dan Benjamin — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 17:00:00 -0500

Dan answers listener questions about mic technique, affordable microphones, digital mixers, headphone amps, streaming video, USB vs. XLR microphones, radio's influence on podcasting, and more.

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Episode 8: Show Up!

Dan Benjamin — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 14:15:00 -0500

Dan talks about growing your listener base, if podcast networks are right for your show, getting new listeners, recording multiple guests, the basics of mix-minus, digital vs. traditional mixers, testing new gear, getting mired in editing, recording better audio vs. editing in post, and more.

Links for this episode:

Sponsored by lynda.com (Visit the link for a 10 day free trial).

Episode 7: Time Shifted Radio

Dan Benjamin — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 17:00:00 -0600

Dan talks about podcasts as creations vs. time shifted radio, recording (and not recording) when you're sick, ID3 tags, managing wires, the benefits and downsides of pre recording intros and outros, interviewing techniques, using affiliates as sponsors, acoustic panels, and more.

Links for this episode:

5by5 | 5by5 Specials #31: The Hulk Doesn't Kneel
Dan is joined by his 7 year old son, Cash, to talk about being a big brother, Google, the iPhone 6 and 6 , phablets, the role of iPads and computers in education, Grek Pak, black mambas, Stan Lee's Superhumans, and more.
Support Dan Benjamin creating Podcasts and videos
If every listener donated $2/month, we'd have all of the creative freedom to deliver the kinds of shows we've always wanted to create, without any limits. Reaching this goal would create a better balance between listener support and sponsorships, and create a more sustainable model for 5by5. This means better shows, more video, experimental projects, fewer sponsor breaks, and a better connection between you and what I create here.
Amazon.com: VELCRO Brand - ONE-WRAP Thin Self-Gripping Cable Ties: Reusable, Light Duty - 8" x 1/2" Ties, 100 Pack - Black: Office Products
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Amazon.com: Monoprice Fastening Tape 0.75inch One Wrap Hook & Loop Fastening Tape 5 yard/Roll - Black: Electronics
Amazon.com: Furman PST-8D SMP EVS LiFT 15-Amp Aluminum Chassis 8-Outlet Isolated Outlet Banks Advanced Level Power Conditioning: Electronics
Everyday Home Mattress Topper, Egg Crate Ventilated Foam - Walmart.com
Amazon.com: Sewell Sound Dampening Foam, 2 Inch Thick, 1ft x 1ft, 12 Pack: Musical Instruments

Sponsored by Harry's (Use the code PODCASTMETHOD at checkout for $5 off your first purchase).

Episode 6: Hijacking

Dan Benjamin — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 17:00:00 -0600

Dan talks about download tracking with podtrac and libsyn, other tools like Showbot and the topics engine, recording screencasts, the new Audio Hijack, fair use in podcasting, patreon instead of sponsors, and more.

Links for this episode:

Sponsored by Mandrill (Use the code '5by5' for 50,000 free email sends per month for your first six months).

Episode 5: Content First

Dan Benjamin — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 09:00:00 -0600

Dan Benjamin answers your questions on topics including how to put content first, working with remote guests, keeping focused, a Skype tips for good quality audio, effective recording techniques, and more.

Links for this episode:

Sponsored by Harry's. Use code PODCASTMETHOD and save $5 off your first order, even on their amazing Starter Kit.

Episode 4: Fine Tuning

Dan Benjamin — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 18:00:00 -0600

Dan Benjamin answers listener questions about the importance of a regular show, submitting shows to iTunes, counting downloads and listeners, affordable podcast hosting solutions, building a custom podcast CMS, interview style, soundproofing your home and podcast studio, broadcasting from a closet, and more.

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Sponsored by Audible. Follow this link for a free audio book to keep forever, and a free 30 day trial.

Episode 3: Get Excited

Dan Benjamin — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 16:00:00 -0600

Dan answers questions about promoting a show on iTunes, working with advertiser content, the importance of theme music for a podcast, how to handle Skype issues, and more.

Links for this episode:

Sponsored by MailChimp (Visit the link to learn more and if you have under 2,000 subscribers, you can send 12,000 emails per month, forever).

Episode 2: If It Sounds Good, It Is Good

Dan Benjamin — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 13:00:00 -0600

Dan talks about recording multiple people remotely and in the same room, the importance of cover artwork, editing as a crutch, streaming live, and answers listener questions, and for the special Tech segment, he is joined by guest Jim Metzendorf to explain audio compression in podcasting.

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Sponsored by ... you! Please visit Patreon and make a small donation to support Podcast Method and Dan Benjamin.

Episode 1: Getting Started

Dan Benjamin — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 15:00:00 -0600

Dan Benjamin answers listener's Twitter questions about starting a podcast, accurate download tracking, microphones, recording equipment, and more.

Links for this episode: